Wu Family Ancestral Hall in Gaochun

Wu Family Ancestral Hall in Gaochun

The Wu Family Ancestral Hall is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangsu Province.

At the eastern end of Gaochun Old Street stands a group of tall and spacious Qing Dynasty buildings — the renowned Wu Family Ancestral Hall. This architectural complex was first built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. It was constructed following the natural terrain, with its entrance facing Guanxi River and its back against the old street. The layout includes a front gate (also serving as a theater stage), a central ceremonial hall, a rear ancestral worship hall, with courtyards in between and side chambers. The building covers a construction area of over 820 square meters.

The front section consists of three bays and has two floors. The ground floor faces south and features the main entrance, with “eight”-shaped screen walls on either side of the doorway. The structure is built with blue bricks and stone foundations, flanked by two circular drum-shaped stones. The solemn and dignified character of a traditional ancestral hall is fully presented. Upon entering the main gate and looking at the building from a different angle, one discovers that it is actually a theater stage — a gathering and entertainment venue for members of the Wu clan. The ingenious design of combining the main gate and the theater stage reflects the exceptional creativity of its designers at the time.

The stage is located on the second floor and is divided into front and backstage sections by screen panels, commonly referred to as the “sky wall,” allowing performances on the stage and makeup preparations backstage. The fan-shaped door lintel is inscribed with “Exit for Generals” on the left and “Enter for Ministers” on the right, serving as the “moon gates” for actors’ entrances and exits. The side bays of the front section are partitioned into a “music platform” and private boxes. At the top of the stage, the center features a three-tiered octagonal caisson ceiling, surrounded by flat-panel ceilings. The caisson on the theater stage not only serves a decorative function but also creates resonance during performances, enhancing sound projection and reflection.

The central ceremonial hall spans an area of 250 square meters. Its architectural style features front and rear verandas and an open-hall design. The main bay’s roof framework uses a “raised-beam” structure with an additional layered frame, reaching a height of over 12 meters.

The rear ancestral worship hall is situated at a higher elevation than the central and rear sections. Its structural design includes four internal main beams, a front veranda and rear corridor, and an exposed-beam construction style. It covers a construction area of 225 square meters.

The central and rear halls are typical examples of Huizhou-style architecture. Their designs feature small clay-tiled roofs, horse-head walls, and intricately carved roof ridges. The wooden structures use large and high-quality materials, with nanmu wood used for columns and cypress for beams — their natural scent is said to repel spiders. As a result, there is not a trace of cobwebs or dust on the beams and frames, keeping them looking pristine over the years.

The Wu Family Ancestral Hall extensively employs wood carving craftsmanship throughout its construction. There are over 80 wood carvings of various sizes on the theater stage alone, representing the finest of such artistry on the old street. For instance, the high-relief carving of “Two Phoenixes Playing with Peonies” on the sky wall of the stage, the relief of “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” in the caisson, and the four hanging lotus baskets carved under the crossbeams — each basket filled with patterns of peach blossoms, lotuses, chrysanthemums, and daffodils, symbolizing prosperity in all four seasons. The diagonal braces between the stage’s front pillars and crossbeams are carved with two majestic lions, with figures of civil and military officials standing atop their backs. On the horizontal beams between the stage pillars, relief carvings depict theatrical stories such as “Full Bed of Official Rank Tablets,” “Lady She Taijun Takes Command,” and “Borrowing the East Wind.” Between the stage’s horizontal beams and the eaves purlins, 14 elaborately crafted “phoenix-headed bracket arms” (dougong) project outward, adding even more splendor to the theater stage. Additionally, the waist boards under the veranda of the ceremonial hall feature exquisitely carved “Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars,” highlighting the ancestral hall’s emphasis on honoring ancestors and filial piety.

In 1938, Comrade Chen Yi led the First Detachment of the New Fourth Army on the eastern expedition against Japanese aggression. During their stay in Gaochun, the detachment’s headquarters was stationed here. Therefore, the Wu Family Ancestral Hall is not only a masterpiece of ancient architecture but also a revolutionary relic. In 1982, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People’s Government of Jiangsu Province.