The streets and architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) still retain their old look in the villages of Luotian, Shuinan and Jingtai in Anyi county, in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.(Photo:China Daily/Shi Xiaofeng)

Steeped in the culture of China's imperial era, a trio of communities in Jiangxi province offer a quiet look back at simpler times.

While strolling in a maze of stone-paved lanes that crisscross the ancient villages of Luotian, Shuinan and Jingtai in Anyi county, in Nanchang of Jiangxi province, it's easy to feel lost in time.

More than 100 residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) are well-preserved in the villages, with ancient archways, gate towers, streets, lanes, stone wells and performance stages spread all over.

During a late-autumn visit, we enjoyed the tranquil moments of village life and the villages' exquisite architecture that represented typical folk residences in Jiangxi region.

Only 300 meters apart and sitting like three legs of a tripod topographically, each of the villages has its own appeal and tells a unique story.

The village of Luotian was founded more than 1,120 years ago by Huang Kechang, who arrived while fleeing war and named the settlement after his original home-Luotian county in Hubei province.

Huang's offspring flourished here, and many of them established new villages in other parts of Jiangxi later.

A giant camphor tree, sitting on a high point of the mountain backing the village, is said to have been planted by the village founder himself.