The largest manor in Lingnan, the biggest landlord estate in Guangxi, and the general's residence—Huang Zhaoxi Manor

◇Huang Zhaoxi Manor is located in Dazhang Village, Ertang Town, Wuxuan County, Laibin City, Guangxi, about 13 kilometers from the county seat of Wuxuan. The manor covers an area of 160 mu, with a building area of 39,900 square meters and a total of 199 rooms. The manor is arranged in a square cluster and belongs to the traditional Lingnan courtyard-style architecture of China. Due to its complete layout, comprehensive functions, grand scale, and solemn atmosphere, it is the largest existing landlord manor in Guangxi, also known as the largest general’s residence in Guangxi, and is acclaimed as the "largest manor in Lingnan." ◇The owner of the manor, Huang Zhaoxi (1869–1942), also known as Huiyu or Huiru, was a native of Zhang Village, Ertang Township, Wuxuan County. In his youth, he studied at the Guangdong Police and Political School and served as the director of the Liuzhou Tax Bureau and commander of the Fourth Army of the Guangxi Autonomous Army. In 1924, Huang Zhaoxi was awarded the rank of army major general and held the title of General Hongwei. He began building the manor in 1913 by hiring more than 100 craftsmen from Guangdong, and it took 29 years to complete (until 1942). Huang Zhaoxi had four wives and concubines and 14 children; his eight sons married a total of 41 wives and concubines. For example, his eldest son Huang Zhenying had 11 wives and concubines, each with their own maidservants. Thus, the manor became a family residence, with daily management relying on servants and laborers. ◇Huang Zhaoxi Manor is a two-story brick and tile structure, oriented northwest to southeast, with a frontage of 119 meters and a depth of 130 meters, presenting a square courtyard layout. The surrounding buildings form a symmetrical and orderly arrangement, appearing solemn and dignified. The main house consists of front, middle, and rear sections plus left and right wings, all two stories high. Each floor is separated by courtyards, with colonnades connecting the four sides of the courtyards; at the four corners of the courtyard are watchtowers (gun towers), four stories tall, offering views for miles. Near the front of the manor are flower beds and a large pond; behind are orchards and forage gardens; around the manor flows a small creek, over a meter wide and deep enough to prevent wading, flowing year-round. The entire building environment is elegant and picturesque. The manor also has strong defensive capabilities and once successfully resisted Japanese invasion. ◇Since its completion, Huang Zhaoxi Manor has attracted countless visitors with its magnificent scale and profound historical significance. On July 12, 2004, Huang Zhaoxi Manor was listed as a cultural relic protection unit in Laibin City; in 2014, the Wuxuan County People's Government officially approved the manor’s restoration project, which officially started in 2016. During the restoration, the project team adhered to the principle of "restoring the old as the old," striving to preserve the manor’s original layout and appearance. The newly restored Huang Zhaoxi Manor has become a major tourist attraction in Zhang Village, Ertang Town, Wuxuan County, Laibin. On December 8, 2017, Huang Zhaoxi Manor was promoted to the seventh batch of autonomous region cultural relic protection units in Guangxi. ◇Every stone and wall of Huang Zhaoxi Manor carries historical marks, witnessing the glory and vicissitudes of the Huang family. Here, visitors can not only feel the weight of history but also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the half-moon pond in front of the manor gate, taste the sweetness of century-old lychees, and experience the long history of the ancient century-old pagoda trees. Additionally, the area around the manor preserves historical sites such as the former site of Huiru Middle School, founded by Huang Zhaoxi in October 1942, providing visitors with a great place to deeply understand the local history and culture.