Ye Ancestral Hall of Banqiao

Ye Ancestral Hall of Banqiao

The Ye Ancestral Hall of Banqiao is a municipal-level cultural heritage site of Quzhou City.

The Ye Ancestral Hall of Banqiao is located in Banqiao Natural Village, Banqiao Village, Zhoujia Township, Qujiang District. It was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site in June 2014. Originally built in the mid-Ming Dynasty and renovated during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, the ancestral hall has a longitudinal rectangular layout, with an overall width of 13.28 meters and a total depth of 32.07 meters, covering a total area of approximately 426 square meters. The architectural layout follows a central axis and gradually rises in elevation. From west to east, it consists of the entrance hall (gate tower), small courtyard, front hall, large courtyard, and rear hall, with wing rooms on both sides of the two courtyards. The main façade features a pavilion-style gate tower, with four pillars, three bays, and five stories, flanked by octagonal walls. Stone drum bases with simple animal carvings are placed on either side of the main gate. The front hall is three bays wide; the central bay has a raised-beam structure with two posts and five purlins, while the side bays use a mixed raised-beam and through-tenon system with five posts and nine purlins. The wing rooms between the front and rear halls are two bays wide. The rear hall is also three bays wide; the central bay features a five-rafter raised-beam structure with double steps at the front and back, while the side bays use a four-post, eleven-purlin raised-beam structure. Wooden components such as bracket arms, spandrels, and architraves are adorned with floral carvings.

According to the Ye Family Genealogy, in the eighth year of the Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty (1138), Ye Duanchen was buried at the bridgehead of Lingxia, and his sons Zhengji and Zhenglun guarded the grave at Banqiao. This building is well-preserved, with a rigorous layout. Particularly notable is the scientifically designed and aesthetically pleasing gate tower, along with exquisitely carved woodwork and refined craftsmanship, reflecting a high level of artistic achievement. It holds certain historical, artistic, and scientific value.

Zhoujia Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Qu County. Established as a township in 1950, later converted to a commune, and reinstated as a township in 1984. Located in the northern part of the county, it covers an area of 40 square kilometers with a population of 15,000. There are two highways. The township administers 23 village committees: Shijing, Houdui, Chengcun, Banqiao, Chuankeng, Jiangjia, Chongyuan, Kuzhugang, Wuxiqiao, Fengcun, Songjia, Shanglin, Pantangwu, Zhoujia, Houxitang, Jingtougen, Xiayingyuan, Peijia, Xiangdui, Shangjiang, Zhaiji, Chunshanping, and Shanggangtou. Township enterprises mainly focus on lime production and food processing, while agriculture centers on rice, rapeseed, loquat, tea, citrus cultivation, and livestock farming... More details about Zhoujia Township++