Ming Dynasty ancestral hall reborn as chic boutique hotel in Nansha

In Huangge town, Nansha district, a centuries-old building known as the "Guanming Mai Family Ancestral Hall", which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), has recently become a sensation.

This building, which has served as a hospital, a commune, and finally a village committee office, has now been creatively transformed by a young entrepreneur named Cao Jinwen into a distinctive boutique hotel named "Xichao · Commune Linju".

The Xichao · Commune Linju. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]

The bath pool in the courtyard. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]

The renovation was a joint effort between local designers and builders, carefully maintaining the historical character of the original architecture. They polished old bluestone slabs into tea tables, repurposed aged timber into furniture, restored the "Dunbentang" plaque with care, and diverted water from an ancient well to form a courtyard stream.

 The gym of the hotel. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]

At the same time, the hotel seamlessly incorporates modern amenities such as a gym, a tea room, and smart bathroom fixtures. Its thirty guest rooms, each named after an auspicious mythical beast from Chinese lore, blend traditional aesthetic charm with modern comfort.

This transformation has not only rejuvenated a historic architectural treasure but also created local employment opportunities for villagers. Looking ahead, the hotel plans to introduce intangible cultural heritage experiences and a commercial block, further revitalizing cultural tourism in the ancient village.