The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has recently announced the Sixth Batch of Chinese Traditional Villages, which intends to include 1,352 villages, with four villages in Beijing.

The Qiangzilu Village in Dachengzi town, Miyun District, is in a ravine area with beautiful environment on the north bank of the Qingshui River. At the junction of Miyun District and Xinglong County in Hebei Province, the village was once a major traffic route. With various kinds of temple fairs every year, it has become an important custom to participate in flower performances and celebrations for the villagers.

Formerly known as Liulinying, Hexi Village in Gubeikou Town, Miyun District was built as a garrison city in 127 BC in the second year of Emperor Wu of Han, and gradually evolved into a village. With 7 ethnic groups and 134 surnames, it is also the first village with over 100 surnames in China. Many historical monuments such as Qilang Tomb, and Lv Zu Temple, and many ancient residences such as Duan Family Courtyard and Xian Family Courtyard are still in existence.

Surrounded by the Chaohe River on three sides, the village preserves relatively complete traditional landscape and ancient dwellings with local characteristics. There is a monument to the north of the village to commemorate the history of the "Chaoheguan Tragedy" in 1933 when 82 villagers were killed and over 200 houses were burned down by the Japanese troops during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Liulinshui Village in Shijiaying Township, Fangshan District, is named after the willow trees in the ditch of Dayantai in the south of the village. There are more than 20 old courtyards in the village, as well as old gatehouses from the Ming Dynasty.

Translator: YE Lijuan

Reviewer: WANG Jiahui