The Yan Family Ancestral Hall in Jinhua

The Yan Family Ancestral Hall in Jinhua

The Yan Family Ancestral Hall in Jinhua is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yan Family Ancestral Hall (Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit)

Era: Qing Dynasty

Listed: March 16, 2005

Facing south, the hall complex consists of three courtyards in a row, with a total width of 20.38 meters and a total depth of 39.45 meters. All three courtyards have five bays in width and feature a stone pillar and wooden beam structure. The first courtyard is the entrance hall, seven rafters deep, with the central bay’s beam frame consisting of a five-rafter beam with a double step in front, and the central bay features a coffered ceiling. The front eaves of the central bay are fitted with a decorative eight-panel gate. The second courtyard is the middle hall, nine rafters deep, with the central bay’s beam frame consisting of a five-rafter beam with double steps both in front and behind, and the rear eaves are fitted with lattice doors and windows. The third courtyard is the rear hall, also nine rafters deep, with the central bay’s beam frame consisting of a five-rafter beam with a double step in front and two single steps behind, using five pillars, and the front eaves are fitted with lattice doors and windows. A connecting corridor is set between the two central bays of the middle hall and the rear hall. Each courtyard also has connecting corridors between the two side bays. The decorative components throughout the building are carved with patterns of birds and beasts, cloud motifs, water patterns, and more.

The Yan Family Ancestral Hall retains an intact overall architectural layout, with exquisitely carved wooden components and distinct characteristics of its era, making it an important example of Qing Dynasty ancestral hall architecture in the province.

Source: Zhejiang Cultural Relics Network

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units