Former Residence of Xu Yangshan and the Xu Family Ancestral Hall

Former Residence of Xu Yangshan and the Xu Family Ancestral Hall

The Former Residence of Xu Yangshan and the Xu Family Ancestral Hall are cultural heritage sites protected by Lishui City.

The Xu family is a prominent clan in Yuandi Village, with a lineage of 23 generations spanning over 700 years. It has produced many patriotic figures such as Xu Yangshan and Xu Jingwu, who are remembered and revered by later generations. In the Xu Family Ancestral Hall, the four large characters “敦本惟源” (Uphold the Root and Return to the Source) stand prominently in the center, flanked by the inscriptions “继祖宗一派传真克勤克俭，教子孙两行正路惟读惟耕” (Inherit the teachings of our ancestors, passing on honesty and diligence; teach descendants to follow the righteous paths of studying and farming). “Diligence and frugality, studying and farming” became the ancestral motto of the Xu family and the foundation of their way of life.

The early members of the Xu family made their fortune by trading timber. Through generations of hard work and diligence, they gradually grew wealthy and became a leading family in Yuandi Village. However, material prosperity did not change the Xu family’s original values—they maintained the tradition of “excelling in learning to serve in office,” emphasizing the importance of education and encouraging family members to study diligently and aspire to become honorable individuals.

On the stone pillars of the former residence of Xu Yangshan, a revolutionary martyr of the Xinhai Revolution, there is a couplet that reads: “欲高门第须为善，要好儿孙即读书” (To elevate your family’s status, practice kindness; to have virtuous descendants, emphasize education). The entrances of the Xu family’s ancient houses often feature inscriptions such as “东海旧家” (Old Family from the East Sea), “山辉川媚” (Mountains Shine, Rivers Glow), “山水文章” (Mountains and Waters as Writings), and “月山拱秀” (Moonlit Mountains Embrace Beauty). These not only express the Xu family’s pursuit of cultural refinement and positive values but also reflect their earnest hope for their descendants to pursue knowledge and cultivate noble character for the sake of family and country.

During the revolutionary period, the Xu family produced a number of dedicated patriots and gentlemen, such as Xu Yangshan and Xu Jingwu, who embodied the family’s values through their actions. In times of peace, the family also produced numerous talents in fields such as military, government, law, culture, education, medicine, science, and business. Though scattered across various industries and regions, the deeply rooted family values and teachings remain ingrained in their hearts and reflected in their actions.

Yuandi Village: With a long history, Yuandi Village is the most populous village in our city, rich in cultural heritage and home to many talented individuals. It boasts the former residence of Xu Yangshan, a pioneer of the Xinhai Revolution, as well as a cluster of ancient residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Known as the “Fine Yuandi of Western Longquan,” it is a great destination for sightseeing and travel. Originally, there was a bridge in Yuandi Village, built in the 1980s. Due to years of disrepair, it posed significant safety risks for villagers’ travel and caused great inconvenience to their daily lives and production. Rebuilding the bridge became an urgent necessity and the long-cherished wish of the village’s more than 2,000 residents.

Last year, in the city… Detailed information about Yuandi Village++