Qi Shaobao Ancestral Hall

Qi Shaobao Ancestral Hall

Qi Shaobao Ancestral Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Yuyao City.

Located in Linshan, a key town in northern Yao, Qi Shaobao Ancestral Hall is a commemorative structure built to honor Qi Jiguang, a nationally renowned ethnic hero and anti-Wokou general of the Ming Dynasty who achieved outstanding military feats

During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, Wokou pirates frequently raided coastal counties, making Linshan a frontline stronghold against them. In the 34th year of the Jiajing reign (1555), the imperial court dispatched the renowned anti-Wokou general Qi Jiguang to Zhejiang to join the battle. That same summer, he was appointed as the Vice General of Ningbo and Shaoxing, taking command of the three eastern Zhejiang guards—Dinghai Guard, Guanhai Guard, and Linshan Guard.

Qi Jiguang served at Linshan Guard for about three years. During his tenure, thanks to his exceptional military prowess, strict discipline, and care for the people, the “Qi Family Army” operated with unpredictable movements, demonstrated great bravery and combat skill, often leaving the Wokou pirates disoriented. As a result, the mere mention of Qi Jiguang’s name struck fear into the hearts of the pirates. His achievements left a glorious chapter in Linshan’s history and earned him deep admiration and reverence from the local people.

As early as during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, local residents converted the City God Temple into the “Vice General Ancestral Hall” to commemorate this ethnic hero who had made remarkable military contributions in Linshan. In the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign (1897), the people of Linshan raised funds to rebuild the ancestral hall at the northern foot of Fengshan Mountain and north of Cangshan within the Linshan Guard city walls, renaming it “Qi Shaobao Ancestral Hall.” The hall faces south and measures 9.20 meters in width and 7 meters in depth, consisting of three bays. The central bay features a lifted-beam roof structure that is simple and unadorned. The roof is gabled with small blue tiles, and there is a small front courtyard and a square pond at the back. The entire structure is enclosed by brick walls, with a gate tower in the center. The gate tower bears the inscription “Qi Shaobao Ancestral Hall.” The title “Shaobao” (Junior Guardian) refers to Qi Jiguang’s later official rank as Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.

Qi Shaobao Ancestral Hall was designated as a municipal cultural relic protection unit of Yuyao in June 1987 and serves as an important site for patriotic education among youth.

Qi Jiguang, courtesy name Yuanjing, art name Nantang, was a native of Dengzhou, Shandong. Born in the 7th year of the Jiajing reign (1528) during the Ming Dynasty, his father, Jingtong, served successively as a regional military commander and acting head of the Daning Regional Military Commission. Qi Jiguang studied literature and martial arts from a young age. When he was 17, his father passed away, and he inherited his position as Assistant Commander of Dengzhou Guard in Shandong. At the time, Wokou pirates continuously harassed China’s southeastern coastal regions. Qi Jiguang once wrote a poem expressing his aspiration: “I do not seek a noble title; I only wish for calm seas.” In the 32nd year of the Jiajing reign (1553), he was promoted to Acting Commander-in-Chief and reorganized the 3 battalions and 25 guards under his command, strengthening training and fortifying Shandong’s maritime defenses so that Wokou pirates no longer dared to invade easily. ... More details on Qi Jiguang++

Linshan Town: Located on the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay and northwest of Yuyao, Linshan Town is one of the renowned “Three Guards” of eastern Zhejiang. It covers a total area of 49.7 square kilometers, with a coastline of 2.9 kilometers. The town administers 10 administrative villages, 1 neighborhood committee, and has a population of over 40,000. Belonging to a subtropical monsoon climate zone, Linshan experiences distinct seasons, moderate weather, and significant monsoons. The average annual temperature ranges from 16.2°C to 16.5°C, with the coldest month (January) averaging between 3.9°C and 4.4°C, and the hottest month (July) averaging between 28.2°C and 28.7°C. The area enjoys a frost-free period of 234 to 246 days per year. Lin... More details on Linshan Town++