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)

One attraction in Shuinan village is the Young Lady's Tower, where the daughter of a rich landlord led her daily life. Composed of a beautifully decorated hall and corridor towers, it was here that the daughter of the master threw a colorful ball to select her bridegroom, according to the interesting story told for hundreds of years.

Jingtai village was founded about 1,400 years ago by two brothers of the Liu clan, who moved here to escape from war. Later the Li clan moved in and they have lived together peacefully since. With a long history and many ancient buildings remaining, the village has become a popular site for film and television shooting.

The three villages' richness in relics is believed to be the result of centuries of strong focus on culture and education.

Farmers studied when they were not working in their fields. They not only built good schools within the villages, but also spared no expense to employ good teachers for their young. Villagers were eager for their children to become educated, win scholarly honors and earn official ranks to glorify their ancestors.

Thanks to that, the three villages fostered a number of successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations, and over 300 officials of high or low ranks. The achievements earned respect for the clans in the villages from people near and far.

Over the centuries, many kinds of folk arts, such as the tea-picking opera, high-tune gongs and drums and dragon lantern performance flourished in the villages as well. They still play an important role in the villagers' cultural life today.

If you go

Situated in the southeastern part of Anyi county in the suburbs of Nanchang city, the ancient village group of Anyi is 35 km from Nanchang Airport. The No 105 State Highway directly reaches the ancient villages.