Embroidery (Xiuyi) Lane, tucked just off the bustling thoroughfare of Zhongjie Road in Haikou’s city centre, is steeped in over five centuries of history.
A Ming Dynasty Legacy
Embroidery Lane runs north to south, stretching 360 meters from Zhongjie Road in the south to Xincheng Road at the northern end near Beisheng Street. Its origins trace back to the Ming Dynasty, when it became a gathering place for aspiring scholars studying in local academies.
The story goes that the emperor himself took notice of the concentration of students here and bestowed the name “Embroidery Lane.” In those feudal times, scholars adorned their clothing with intricate embroidery, and this tradition helped elevate the lane’s reputation.
Hidden Treasures Along the Way
Among the historical relics preserved in Embroidery Lane are an ancient well, Yan Huang Temple, and traditional residential buildings. The well, located about 100 meters west of the midpoint of the lane, dates back to the Ming Dynasty and still boasts crystal-clear water after more than 500 years.
Yan Huang Temple, situated at No. 67 Embroidery Lane, stands as a splendid testament to the lane’s heritage and serves as a gathering place for its elderly residents.
Grand Ancestral Mansions
Embroidery Lane was once home to several grand ancestral mansions, including those of the Liu, Luo, Ni, Li, and Feng families. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, these homes belonged to affluent families, many of whom held official positions.
Of the five large mansions, only the ancestral home of the Liu family (located at No. 23 Embroidery Lane) and the Luo family’s grand courtyard remain intact. Liu’s ancestral home, built by Liu Zhenchao, the eleventh-generation ancestor of the Liu family, originally had five sections, but only four remain due to a fire.
Teahouses and Festive Delights
Embroidery Lane, primarily a residential alley rather than a commercial street, boasts modest teahouses. During New Year and Lantern Festival celebrations, the archway at the entrance of Embroidery Lane is adorned with brilliant coloured lanterns, said to carry the hopes and wishes of its residents for a happy life.
Embroidery Lane—where history and community converge—is an ancient street waiting to be explored. So next time you’re in Haikou, take a leisurely stroll down this narrow alley and immerse yourself in its history.
Address: 绣衣坊 (copy and paste into WeChat maps)
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