The Ancestral Hall of the Imperial Uncle in Loushanhou

The Ancestral Hall of the Imperial Uncle in Loushanhou

The Ancestral Hall of the Imperial Uncle in Loushanhou is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Ancestral Hall of the Imperial Uncle in Loushanhou is located in Loushanhou Village, Quanwang Town, Qujiang District. In January 2017, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit. The building was constructed in the mid-Qing Dynasty (1736–1820), faces south with its back to the north, features a flush gable roof, and has white lime brick walls. The overall layout consists of two courtyards and two entries, covering a construction area of 317.19 square meters. The front of the building is 12.96 meters wide, the rear is 17.28 meters wide, and the depth is 21.86 meters, bringing the total floor area to 466.7 square meters. The upper part of the gate tower is entirely inlaid with brick carvings featuring numerous floral and animal patterns, all exquisitely crafted. The main gate is a stone-framed door connected to the front courtyard, which is paved with long bluestone slabs. The bracket arms and spandrels of the courtyard feature carved reliefs of flowers and animals. The front hall is three bays wide, with the central bay using a post-and-lintel system and the side bays using a column-and-tie system. The rear hall shares the same structure as the front hall.

According to historical records, the Ming Dynasty’s Empress Xiaozhen had five brothers who lived in Loushanhou. In the second year of the Chenghua era (1466), several ancestral halls were built for them. Over time, most were demolished, and the one that remains today was built by the fourth brother in the mid-Qing Dynasty. The Ancestral Hall of the Imperial Uncle in Loushanhou is well preserved. Its gate tower boasts intricate brick carvings of floral and animal motifs, and its interior wooden structures are made from high-quality materials, showcasing fine craftsmanship and scientific design—making it a model of traditional hall architecture in western Zhejiang. The village is also the birthplace of Empress Xiaozhen, and this is a high-standard aristocratic building with significant historical, scientific, and artistic research value.

Loushanhou Village: Located one li (approximately 0.5 km) south of the town center, Loushanhou Village boasts a profound cultural heritage. A clear stream runs through the village, along which stand several Ming Dynasty structures, including the Junhui Hall (also known as the Queen’s Hall), the Ancestral Hall of the Imperial Uncle, and the Jiqing Bridge, all of which date back over 400 years. The village currently has a population of 1,620, with 472 households and 15 villager groups. It covers a total land area of 4,483 mu (approximately 2,988 acres), including 1,287 mu (approximately 858 acres) of arable land and 2,000 mu (approximately 1,333 acres) of forested land. In 2004, the per capita income was 3,165 yuan, mainly derived from citrus production, grain farming, and migrant work, with over 500 villagers working outside the village. Following the election... More detailed information about Loushanhou Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units