The Maozhan Xu Clan Ancestral Hall

The Maozhan Xu Clan Ancestral Hall

The Maozhan Xu Clan Ancestral Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

The Maozhan Xu Clan Ancestral Hall, also known as the Shuangxi Xu Clan Ancestral Hall, is located in Maozhan Village, Fenglin Town, Jiangshan City, Zhejiang Province. It covers an area of 3,570 square meters, with a built-up area of 2,437 square meters.

The ancestral hall was first built in the 12th year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1639). In the early Qing Dynasty, the border area between Jiangshan, Guangfeng, and Yushan counties was frequently plagued by bandits. After the marauders from Jiuxian Mountain raided Maozhan in the 4th year of the Shunzhi era (1647), the devastation was described as “smoke still lingering in the air, bones scattered everywhere, and the sounds of fear and cries of anguish tearing at one’s heart.” In the 9th year of the Shunzhi era (1652), the village was once again ravaged by bandits from Jiuxian Mountain, and the late Ming-era Xu Clan Ancestral Hall was burned to the ground. Despite suffering repeated heavy blows, just over 60 years later, in the 52nd year of the Qianlong era (1713), the local Xu descendants rebuilt the ancestral hall on the original site, replicating its original scale.

After the liberation, due to its large area and numerous buildings, the Maozhan Xu Clan Ancestral Hall was requisitioned by the state to serve as a grain station. In 2000, following reforms in the grain sector, the station was privatized and contracted out, with parts of it even being used as pigsties. As a result, the ancestral hall fell into disrepair—some rooftops leaked, and beams and pillars corroded and collapsed.

In 2009, the Maozhan Elderly Committee and the Maozhan Shuangxi Xu Clan Genealogy Compilation Committee organized fundraising efforts to renovate the Xu Clan Ancestral Hall. They actively lobbied higher authorities to secure funding and applied for cultural relic protection status. However, due to the complexity of the project and the enormous costs involved—with some ancient architectural techniques nearly lost and impossible to restore in a short time—only the central hall and rear hall underwent protective renovation.

Ancestral Hall Architecture

Although built during the Qing Dynasty, the ancestral hall imitates the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty and draws inspiration from the traditional Huizhou-style architecture. It combines the essence of both Zhejiang and Huizhou building styles, making it the most distinctive ancestral hall in Jiangshan City.

The Maozhan Xu Clan Ancestral Hall is 36 meters wide and 67 meters deep. The main hall has three sections and three courtyards, two large atriums, plus a rear courtyard, totaling four halls. There are 72 stone pillars inside the hall, four of which have a diameter of up to 60 centimeters, sitting atop massive stone bases. The wooden beams, arches, bracket arms, and caisson ceilings feature delicate carvings and ingenious joinery. Especially notable is the main beam, so thick that it takes multiple people to encircle it, which is an impressive sight. Though centuries old, its gilded patterns remain as vivid as ever. The atriums are surrounded by bluestone slabs, connected to corridors within the hall, with multiple steps around them to facilitate access. From a distance, the ancestral hall features undulating horse-head walls on both sides, with roof tiles resembling fish scales and soaring upturned eaves, creating an extraordinary grandeur. In front of the hall lies a thousand-square-meter plaza, with an ink pool (pond) positioned at the front, which serves as both a feng shui element for the Xu clan and a fire-prevention measure. The main gate is fronted by a nine-meter-high tiger wall (screen wall).

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units