Mingshi Lou

The Mngshi Lou was built as a residential Diaolou by Fang Runwen, a villager living in Chicago, on his return to the village in 1925. Located within an enclosed courtyard, the Mingshi Lou is built of reinforced concrete and comprises six storeys. The lower part of the Diaolou is built to a very plain and simple design, while both 5th and 6th storeys have a veranda with lonic columns and Baroque decoration. On the top floor, a hexagonal pavilion which is generally Chinese in design, but with European style columns. In June 2001, the building was declared by the Stare Council a protected Major National Cultural Heritage.