Dongyang Huzhai

Dongyang Huzhai

Dongyang Huzhai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Dongyang Huzhai is located in the eastern suburbs of Dongyang County, Zhejiang Province. From the Ming Dynasty's Yongle 19th year (1421), when Lu Rui from the Lu clan passed the imperial examination as a Jinshi, to the mid-Qing Dynasty, the area was continuously home to successful scholars and talented individuals, ranking as the foremost prestigious family in Wuzhou. During this time, many grand residences were built here, marking the heyday of Huzhai development. Over the following 300-plus years, the construction continued, forming a complete residential architectural complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Coupled with the gently flowing Yaxi Stream that encircles the village, it complements the quaint and ancient houses, creating a picturesque scene.

Dongyang Huzhai is an architectural complex composed of multiple axes. The main part is surrounded by the flowing Yaxi Stream. A cobblestone-paved street runs east-west, with the "Su Yong Hall" axis on the north side of the street serving as the principal structure. Parallel to it on the east side are the "Shi De Hall" axis and the "Da Fu Mansion" axis, while parallel on the west side is the "Shi Jin Qi Mansion" axis. To the north and parallel to Su Yong Hall lies the "Wu Tai Hall" axis. Facing the street to the south are axes such as the "Zhu Shi Mansion," "Wu Yun Hall," and "Bing Yu Hall," many of which are Ming Dynasty constructions.

To the west of Yaxi Stream, major structures also include the Lu Clan Ancestral Hall, Shan Qing Hall, Jia Hui Hall, Xian Chen Hall, Shu De Hall, and others. The main parts of these buildings are constructed using large, high-quality wood materials that allow for intricate construction. Their architectural style is refined and elegant, with most of them being structures from the late Ming and early Qing periods.

The Su Yong Hall on the north side of the street is the public hall of the Lu clan and serves as the main axis of the entire Huzhai complex. Its scale and prominence within the architectural group are particularly striking. The hall is three bays wide and ten rafters deep, with side wings on both sides. It features two gable roofs shaped like inverted "V"s. The beams and columns are made of premium materials and are adorned with delicate and exquisite carvings. Instead of using column caps (dou-gong spacers), the space between beams and columns employs bracket sets and layered arches. The beam ends extend beyond the columns and are carved into various patterns. Whether it’s the bracket sets, arches, beams, lintels, or rafters — wherever carving is possible — they are decorated with floral motifs and decorative edges, and areas suitable for painting are adorned with colorful artwork. Stepping inside, the hall dazzles with vibrant colors and rich ornamentation, leaving visitors awestruck.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units