Qìnshuǐ

Qinshui lies among the mountains of southeastern Shanxi, in the country watered by the Qin River. In the village of Xiwenxing, members of the Liu lineage built a substantial group of homes and courtyards. The family is traditionally connected with the Tang writer Liu Zongyuan. Two stone gateways erected in 1544 and 1550 commemorate members who passed examinations and served as officials; later buildings show the family's continuing presence in the Qing period.