Ding Shu Chen Family Ancestral Hall

Ding Shu Chen Family Ancestral Hall

The Chen Family Ancestral Hall (also known as Shipi Chang) is located at No. 365, Nanhe Community, Ding Shu Town. In May 2009, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Yixing Municipal People's Government.

The Chen Family Ancestral Hall was built during the Qing Dynasty. The structure faces south (slightly southwest at 10°), originally consisting of three courtyards, though now only the first and second remain. It has a total width of nine bays, approximately 25 meters, and a depth of 30.55 meters. The first courtyard is 10.60 meters deep; originally, there were two carved stone slabs in front of the main gate, which have since been relocated to residents' homes. The central courtyard of the second courtyard’s main hall is 17.15 meters long. Between the first and second courtyards, there is a brick-carved gate, which is 2.80 meters wide externally and features carvings of ruyi patterns, phoenixes, peonies, and the scene “Xiao He Chasing Han Xin Under the Moon.” The western side courtyard of the second courtyard is 6.40 meters deep and 6.85 meters wide. The western wing room is 11 meters deep, with a floor paved in road bricks and blue brick skirting along the walls.