Zhu's Ancestral Hall in Zhuzhai

Zhu's Ancestral Hall in Zhuzhai

Zhu's Ancestral Hall in Zhuzhai is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Zhejiang Province.

Zhu's Ancestral Hall in Zhuzhai is situated on the north side of Lanpu Highway in Zhuzhai Village, Meijiang Town, surrounded by roads on the east, west, and north sides. It is about 80 meters from Meixi River to the north, where there is a Wolong Bridge, and to the south, across a gravel road, lies the playground of Changling Primary School. Built in 1940 under the initiative of Guangwang from Shangzhuzhai Village with contributions from the clan, it spans 1,988 square meters. The hall has seven bays and three courtyards, totaling 21 rooms and 12 wing rooms. It features a flush-gable roof and a European-style gatehouse. It currently serves as Changling Primary School. The plaque above the gate reads "Zhu's Ancestral Hall," with doors on the east and west sides inscribed respectively with "Glorify the Forebears and Benefit Posterity" and "A Long and Enduring Heritage."

In 1940, it was constructed under the leadership of Guangwang from Shangzhuzhai Village with donations from the community. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was repurposed as a district government office and then converted into Changling Primary School in 1983, which continues to operate there to this day.

Due to the need for teacher dormitories and offices, the building was divided into many offices and rooms. During the Cultural Revolution, the carved faces of figures on many ornate brackets were defaced.

Front Courtyard: Seven bays with a total width of 28.45 meters and a depth of 7.75 meters. The central bay has three columns and seven rafters, a six-rafter beam with a single front step, and a flat ceiling; the side bays have four columns and seven rafters, a five-rafter beam with front and rear single steps, and flat beams; the smaller side bays have five columns and seven rafters, using a post-and-lintel structure; the end bays have beams, with five columns and seven rafters. The front courtyard uses drum-shaped column bases and round wooden columns.

Middle Courtyard: With a total depth of 8.65 meters, the central, side, and smaller bays all have four columns and nine rafters, featuring five-rafter beams with front and rear double steps, crescent beams, and a scaly beam between each step; each rafter bay is supported by a two-jump bracket; the end bays have five columns and nine rafters, using a post-and-lintel structure.

Rear Courtyard: Seven bays with smaller materials used; the central, side, and smaller bays all have four columns and seven rafters; the end bays have five columns reaching the ground, using a post-and-lintel structure.

Each courtyard is connected by wing rooms, with spacious courtyards in between.

The entire structure features 108 brackets and spandrels, intricately carved with flowers, plants, trees, figures, birds, and beasts. The carving techniques are highly skilled, with figures and animals depicted vividly and lifelike.

Designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site in January 2011.

Meijiang Town: A township under the jurisdiction of Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County. Established as Meijiang Town in 1938, changed to a township in 1941, converted to a commune in 1958, and reinstated as Meijiang Township in 1983. Located in the southern part of the county, it is 30 kilometers from the county seat. Covering an area of 59.4 square kilometers with a population of 16,000, it is accessible via the Xiushan–Songtao Highway leading east to Guizhou Province. The township government is seated in Meijiang. It administers 11 village committees: Yizhong, Bafu, Dongtuan, Xinying, Sancha, Lengshuitang, Sanjiaopo, Guantian, Yongxing, Caitang, and Guiji. Local enterprises include trade, brewing, tea production, and grain and oil processing. The main agricultural products are rice, corn, and small... More details about Meijiang Town++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites