Caizhai

‌Located in the northeastern part of Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province, Caizhai is a 900-year-old, rustic village under the jurisdiction of Hulu Town. It sits at the junction of Dongyang, Zhuji, and Shengzhou. Caizhai consists of five natural villages: Caizhai, Getang, Loucun, Xinzhuang, and Xiwutang. Historically, Caizhai has served as an important market town on the border of Dongyang, Zhuji, and Shengzhou. Primarily inhabited by the Cai clan, whose ancestry can be traced back to the Yellow Emperor's Ji surname, the clan later adopted the name of their state. They flourished in the areas around Qinyang and Chenliu in Henan, and Yandi in Hebei. During the Guangqi period of the Tang Dynasty, descendants of Cai Yong from the Chenliu branch migrated to Gushi, and soon after, moved south to Fujian. In the Northern Song Dynasty, Cai Qi relocated from Fujian to Pingyang, Zhejiang. In the 21st year of the Zhiyuan period of the Yuan Dynasty (1284), his descendants moved to Shangchangtou, Shiliudou Yong'anli, after their residence was burned down, and the place became known as Caizhai. One of Caizhai's most distinctive features is its ancient architectural complex, which preserves a large number of historical buildings. These include 16 halls such as the Cai Clan Ancestral Hall, Yongzhen Hall, Siwei Hall, Runde Hall, and Wenlin Mansion. Many of these buildings are ancient houses with "thirteen-room" and "twenty-four-room" layouts, showcasing Dongyang's unique architectural style and cultural heritage. Caizhai's ancient residential layout is unique, renowned for its "ten-pool interconnected" underground drainage system and comprehensive fire protection facilities. The village's Yuchuan River boasts the scenic "nine bridges in one li." The Yuan Dynasty garden, Caizhai Yinqu Garden, also located here, was once a famous garden throughout the county.