The Zhaoging Hall in North Houzhou

The Zhaoging Hall in North Houzhou

The Zhaoging Hall in North Houzhou is a protected cultural heritage site of Zhejiang Province.

The Zhaoging Hall in North Houzhou is located in Liushi Subdistrict, Dongyang City, and dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

The Zhaoging Hall was built during the Hongzhi to Zhengde periods of the Ming Dynasty. Originally consisting of seven courtyards in sequence, the remaining main structure has three bays, with a nine-rafter system featuring double steps at both the front and back. Both the principal and secondary bays contain three bracket sets; the principal bay uses a post-and-lintel structure, while the secondary bays combine through-tenon and post-and-lintel methods. The moon beams are slim and tall, with dragon-beard carvings shaped like crescent moons, and the angle brackets support five-rafter moon beams.

In North Houzhou Village, legends about the Zhaoging Hall have been passed down for centuries. Originally, private residences were not allowed to have seven courtyards; constructing such a building privately was considered “violating regulations and exceeding norms.” It’s said that when officials were about to investigate, villagers voluntarily demolished four of the courtyards. Even so, with just the remaining three bays, the Zhaoging Hall still appears majestic. It serves as the most spacious and lively gathering place in the village.

On January 13, 2017, the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province announced it as part of the seventh batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

Liushi Subdistrict: Located in the northeastern part of Dongyang City, Liushi Subdistrict lies at the confluence of the Dongyang River, Baixi River, and Lüxi River. It is 10 kilometers from the municipal government office building. The expanded Provincial Highway 22 (Dongzhu Line) and the Yongjin Expressway run east–west across the entire subdistrict, making it a vibrant and extraordinary land of talent and vitality. Originally known as Liushi Town, it was one of the first 18 central towns designated by Jinhua City. In early October 2003, the former Liushi Town was abolished and restructured as Liushi Subdistrict, with no change in its jurisdiction. The total area is 61.43 square kilometers.

　On May 27, 2004, … Detailed information about Liushi Subdistrict++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units