Encun Village, in Chengkou Town to the north of Mount Danxia, has a thousand-year history. [File photo]

Encun Village, in Chengkou Town to the north of Mount Danxia, has a thousand-year history.

All extant ancient buildings in the village are connected with the Meng clan, whose ancestors originated in Dongmeng Mountain in today's Shandong Province. The well-preserved 10-volume Meng Clan Genealogy is an authentic and complete record of the Meng clan history. In response to our request, the village head carefully fanned through the pages. The genealogy, in addition to being a family tree, also constitutes a fascinating ancient artistic record that includes poems, paintings, calligraphies and seals. The most valuable document must be the preface written during the 10th year of the Xianchun Reign (1274) by Wen Tianxiang, a prestigious Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) politician and litterateur.

These 10 volumes record every detail of Encun Village, starting with Meng Niansi, forefather of the Meng clan who moved from Yudu in Jiangxi Province in 1084 to Shaozhou (now Shaoguan) and settled in Encun Village. Meng Tianmin, of the third generation of the Meng clan, was first in the family to pass the imperial examination. Centuries of glory ensued for the clan. Meng Tianmin was honorably appointed by the Song Emperor Zhao Kuo (1168-1224) as county magistrate of Renhua County.

From then on, generations of the talented and able Meng clan had successful official careers. Historical records show that 26 members of the Meng clan were successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations. Also 300-plus family members won awards in both academic circles and officialdom over the past 900 years throughout the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The clan became known as "The Most Influential Family in Southern China". Many famous calligraphers, including Zhao Mengfu of the Yuan Dynasty (1268-1370), bestowed priceless scrolls on the clan. But time flies and dynasties change. Members of the Meng clan became local officials around the country and moved away from Encun Village. Its prosperity gradually ebbed. Residents maintain the traditions of their ancestors through the family motto "Prosper the family through tilling land and reading books". A thousand years of living by this traditional ethical code have preserved the relics and glories of Encun Village, where tranquility and a historical ambience permeate local dwellings as well as ancient residences.