The architecture of the Bagua Zhuo Cat village in Zhejiang, China, is believed to have been constructed based on Zhuge Liang’s “Bagua Formation,” showcasing many unique and captivating features.
Anyone who loves the character Zhuge Liang from “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” by Luo Guanzhong surely knows about “Bagua Formation” – a pinnacle of military art created by Zhuge Liang. (Photo: Baike).
Although there are many unclear historical anecdotes, the reality is that in the Lanxi area of Zhejiang province today, there exists a village named Bagua Zhuo Cat (formerly known as Gao Long) built with a unique architectural style, believed to be modeled after Zhuge Liang’s Bagua Formation. (Photo: Baike).
Visiting this village, you will discover many fascinating things. (Photo: Mafengwo).
The Bagua Zhuo Cat village is located in the western suburbs of Lanxi city, covering an area of 120 acres, and boasts many unique characteristics. The first special feature is that the village has a population of over 5,000 people, with about 4,000 individuals surnamed Jia, believed to be descendants of Zhuge Liang. (Photo: Lvmama).
Legend has it that to honor Zhuge Liang, the Bagua village was established by Zhuge Da Shi, the 20th descendant of Zhuge Liang, in 1340 based on the Bagua Formation. (Photo: Baike).
Lake Zhong is the image of Tai Chi with two distinct yin and yang halves, located at the center and the lowest point of Bagua Zhuo Cat village. (Photo: Weixin).
From the ring road around the lake, there are eight main paths leading outwards, forming the eight trigrams: Kan, Gen, Zhen, Sun, Li, Kun, Dui, and Qian. (Photo: Lvmama).
The outer ring road surrounding Bagua Zhuo Cat village is higher than the average level of the village. Each trigram has a relatively high mound, allowing a clear view of the entire village from the top. (Photo: Baike).
The second remarkable aspect is that the village’s architecture has preserved almost intact the outstanding features of Ming Dynasty architecture. (Photo: 19lou).
The houses here are primarily built in the Siheyuan style. The front of the house is usually higher than the back, causing rainwater to accumulate in the yard. The locals explain that this is to ensure wealth accumulates and does not disperse outside. (Photo: Baike).
Amidst the ancient houses, there are many small alleys, linking one house to another in a winding manner, reflecting the nature of the Bagua Formation. This coincidence is the third unique aspect of Bagua Zhuo Cat village. (Photo: Sina).
Along Lake Zhong, the villagers have built two ancestral halls dedicated to Zhuge Liang: the Grand Hall and the Chancellor’s Hall, featuring a bronze statue of Zhuge Liang holding a goose feather fan, exuding grace and solemnity. These structures are the only remaining shrines to Zhuge Liang since the Ming Dynasty. (Photo: Sina).
The village’s atmosphere is particularly serene, creating a complete separation from the bustling outside world. The slow, simple pace of life here allows visitors to feel a sense of tranquility. (Photo: Lvmama).
Visitors can enjoy local specialties such as Kim Hua dishes, wild vegetables, Zhuge Liang cakes, Mai Jiang wine… to gain a deeper understanding of rural life in China. (Photo: Baike).
Near the Bagua Zhuo Cat village, there are many other scenic spots that visitors can explore, such as Tian Dao Lake, Huang Daitian Palace, and Wu Yi Hot Springs, to learn more about the culture and lifestyle. (Photo: Baike).
