Old architecture of Hubushan, Protected heritage site in Xuzhou, China

Old Architecture of Hubushan is a group of Ming and Qing courtyard houses on Hubu Hill in Xuzhou's Yunlong District, protected nationally since 2006. Thirteen courtyards survive, over five hundred rooms in all, among them the Zheng, Zhai, Yu and Liu family compounds, Li Family Tower, Cui Tao's Hanlin residence and Li Pan's zhuangyuan mansion. A grey brick facade carries a black plaque with gold characters reading "Hanlin", flanked by four red lanterns.

The site represents building traditions from different historical eras, with each structure reflecting distinct phases of Chinese construction methods. National protection status granted in 2006 underscores its importance as a record of these evolving building practices.

The name Hubushan comes from the Ming dynasty: after the Yellow River burst its banks in 1624, the Xuzhou branch office of the Ministry of Revenue (Hubu) moved to this higher ground. The surviving courtyards belonged to wealthy families of the Ming and Qing, among them the Cui Tao Hanlin residence, whose plaque reads "Hanlin". Two courtyards, the Yu and Zhai family compounds, now house the Xuzhou Folk Museum.

The site is best explored on foot, with paths linking the various buildings and informational panels marking key features. Plan time to move between structures at a relaxed pace to examine details and decorative elements.

The buildings employ regional construction methods specific to Jiangsu province, visible in how spaces are organized and local materials are incorporated. These local building techniques distinguish the site from structures built in other regions of China.