The First Family of Jiangnan

The First Family of Jiangnan

The First Family of Jiangnan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Guide: A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, “The First Family of Jiangnan,” also known as the Zheng Clan’s Righteous House, is located in Zhengzhai Town, Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province. Covering an area of about 6,600 square meters, it is an important heritage site of ancient Chinese family culture renowned both in China and abroad. Introduction: The Zheng family residing here governed their household with filial piety and righteousness, earning worldwide acclaim. Since the Jianyan period of the Southern Song Dynasty, spanning the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, fifteen generations lived together and shared meals for over 360 years. At its peak, more than 3,000 people ate from the same pot. Their family tradition of filial piety and righteousness was repeatedly honored by imperial decree. In the 80th year of the Hongwu era (1385), Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, personally bestowed the title “The First Family of Jiangnan.” Zhengzhai still retains a number of important cultural relics, including the Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall of The First Family of Jiangnan. There are over 20 heritage sites, with the Zheng Clan Family Ancestral Hall serving as the center of activities for the clan members living together. Originally built in the early Yuan Dynasty, it covers an area of about 6,600 square meters, featuring a grand structure and a simple, classic style. Amazingly, no birds nest, no spiders weave webs, and no mosquitoes or flies can be found inside the hall. It remains cool even in the summer. The main hall of the ancestral hall displays numerous plaques and couplets inscribed by historical figures through the ages, possessing high artistic and cultural value. In the front hall and worship hall courtyard, there is an ancient cypress planted by Song Lian, with gnarled branches reaching toward the sky. Surrounding the ancestral hall are other historic sites such as the Filial Piety Spring, the Nine-Generations-Living-Together Tablet Pavilion, Dongming Academy, the Old Buddha Society, and the Jianwen Well, all rich in content and forming an impressive ensemble. The First Family of Jiangnan scenic area also features many picturesque spots. The winding Bailin Stream runs through the town, with “Ten Bridges and Nine Locks” along its course. Xuanlu Mountain boasts the Eight Scenic Spots of Xuanlu, including the Crane-Drinking Stream, Rui Zhu Rock, and Flying Rain Cave, as well as Yuan Dynasty cliff carvings. Transport: Take a bus from Pujiang West Station.

Jinhua City, Zhejiang

Zhengzhai Town: [General] Named after the Zheng surname, Zhengzhai Town is the hometown of padlocks in China, a provincial-level historical and cultural reserve, a provincial-level civilized town, a provincial-level education-strong town, and a municipal-level central town. The total area of the town is 41.09 square kilometers, including a built-up area of 155 hectares, cultivated land of 13,800 mu, and forestland of 35,320 mu. It governs 34 administrative villages, with a total population of 28,000, of which 10,650 live in the built-up area. In 2005, the town achieved a total industrial and agricultural output value of 1.156 billion yuan, including 1.078 billion yuan in industrial output and tax revenue of 28.8 million yuan, with export value amounting to 202 million yuan... More detailed information on Zhengzhai Town ++