Sun Family Ancestral Hall in Sunjiajing

Sun Family Ancestral Hall in Sunjiajing

The Sun Family Ancestral Hall in Sunjiajing is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Sun Family Ancestral Hall is located in Sunjiajing Village, Henghe Town, Cixi City. A local saying, “Sunjiajing in Henghe—eight hundred official hats,” vividly illustrates the remarkable regional cultural phenomenon centered here. It is said that in the past, high-ranking officials from the Sun family were numerous in Henghe, prompting the emperor to bestow the character “境” (literally “domain”) upon the family. It was decreed that any official entering the village must dismount—civil officials from their sedan chairs and military officers from their horses—thus making the “境” of Sunjiajing a mark of great honor.

Throughout the dynasties, members of the Sun family held prominent official positions and achieved outstanding political accomplishments. Sun Yingshi, a Jinshi scholar of the Chunxi era in the Southern Song Dynasty and known as Master Zhuhu, had a disciple, Shi Miyuan, who served as Grand Tutor, Left Prime Minister, and concurrently as the Chancellor of the Privy Council. While others scrambled to seek favor, Sun Yingshi remained aloof and detached, earning lasting admiration for his lofty integrity. Sun Sui, Ming Dynasty Governor of Jiangxi and posthumously honored as the Loyal and Martyred Duke, was committed to upholding imperial order and was killed by Prince Ning, Zhu Chenhao. He was posthumously awarded the title of Minister of Rites, honored as Loyal and Martyred, and granted a memorial hall in Nanchang. His grandson, Sun Sheng, also a Jinshi scholar in the Jiajing era, was appointed as a Hanlin Academy editor. Known for his noble character, he was posthumously awarded the title of Minor Tutor to the Crown Prince and honored as Literary Exemplar. Sun Ruyou, Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, assisted Emperor Guangzong and was posthumously honored as Minor Tutor and Literary Reverence. Sun Jiaye, Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion, supported the Ming loyalist cause and was posthumously honored as Grand Guardian and Loyal Assistant. Also noteworthy is Yang Wenli, the virtuous second wife of Literary Exemplar Sun Sheng, whose sons all achieved top scholarly honors: her eldest son, Sun Long, became Minister of Personnel and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince; her second son, Sun Ding, served as Minister of Rites; her third son, Sun Cong, was Chief Steward of the Imperial Stables; and her youngest son, Sun Kuang, became Minister of War. A single family produced four sons, including three ministers and one imperial stable master. Sunjiajing has been home to many notable figures, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as the “Yao River Cultural Phenomenon” or the “Yao River Group of Figures,” and is considered a marvel in the history of Chinese culture.

The Sun Family Ancestral Hall faces south and consists of three courtyards and seven bays, built with a brick-and-wood structure and a hip-and-gable roof. Its layout is rectangular, covering an area of 1,500 square meters. The first courtyard is the entrance gate, the second is the main hall, where the central and side bays feature raised-beam construction while the end bays use through-tenon construction. The eave corridor is fitted with a rolled awning, and the moon beams are carved with floral patterns in a simple and classic style. The third courtyard is the Yan Yi Hall, rebuilt in the early Republic of China. The name “Yan Yi” (meaning “to assist the sovereign”) carries the connotation of aiding the emperor. Its specifications match those of the main hall, with moon beams carved with scenes of historical figures. The central bay of the hall prominently displays a large plaque inscribed with “Yan Yi Hall.” Each courtyard is separated by a patio, with steps in the middle. On either side of the main hall are two-story wing rooms with three bays each, connected by enclosing walls. The overall structure is well-preserved and quite imposing.

According to the “Preface to the Continuation of the Sun Family Genealogy”: “(The main ancestral hall of Sunjiajing) is located north of Pingqiao, formerly known as Jingjia Mountain. During the Qianlong–Jiaqing period, five genealogies were compiled into one volume, but unfortunately both the original and duplicate copies were destroyed by fire.” The current Sun Family Ancestral Hall is a structure from the Jiaqing–Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. From the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty onward, spanning eight emperors and over 150 years, the Sun family received successive imperial honors and posthumous titles. It can be inferred that the original ancestral hall must have been even more magnificent and splendid. However, a great fire during the Jiaqing–Daoguang period not only destroyed the Sun family genealogy but also obliterated all the accumulated imperial honors, commendations, and edicts. By the Qing Dynasty, the Sun family had lost its former glory, and the rebuilt main hall appeared relatively plain, though it still adhered to the feudal hierarchical system that dictated “official halls of first- and second-rank officials should have seven bays.”

The unique background of the Sun Family Ancestral Hall serves as a vivid piece of living history and is an important resource for exploring the “Yao River Cultural Phenomenon” and studying the “Yao River Group of Figures.” In August 1986, the Cixi County People’s Government designated the Sun Family Ancestral Hall as a third batch Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Sunjiajing Village: Located south of the built-up area of Henghe Town, Sunjiajing Village is 2 kilometers from the town government seat. By the end of 2007, it had 1,258 registered households with a population of 3,003, comprising 24 villager groups and 20 natural villages. The village spans approximately 1,400 meters from north to south and 700 meters from east to west. The village committee is based at Citan Gen. There are 11 main roads within the village, averaging 3.5 meters in width and totaling 6,250 meters in length. The Hengzhang Highway runs through the village, and the Ciyu Railway crosses the northern part. The village roads are arranged in seven horizontal and three vertical routes, with two railway bridges, one highway bridge, and 22 village road bridges. Among them is Guanzhi Bridge... More details about Sunjiajing Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units