Shǐxīng

Shixing lies in the mountain valleys of northern Guangdong. Its Hakka communities built enclosed residences with thick walls, towers and interior courtyards, providing shelter for families and protection against attack. At Aizi south of the county seat, the Guan family began building the great Mantang enclosure in 1833. Its design brought several separate compounds together in one large fortified complex beside the meeting of two streams.