Ancestral Hall of the Zhao Family Opera Stage

Ancestral Hall of the Zhao Family Opera Stage

The Ancestral Hall of the Zhao Family Opera Stage is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The Ancestral Hall of the Zhao Family Opera Stage is located in Yixing Xiaowei, Shuihu Village, Donglian Township, Tongling County, Tongling City.

This opera stage was originally part of the Ancestral Hall of the Zhao Family, a three-courtyard architectural complex. The front courtyard is today’s surviving opera stage. The stage faces south and directly overlooks the courtyard of the second section. The structure is made of brick and wood, with two levels connected by a simple wooden staircase. The walls are built from blue bricks, covered with white plaster, and topped with small tiles. There are four upturned eaves on the northern side of the building, with a central door and three large rooms on either side. The interior of the opera stage is entirely wooden, featuring one large and two smaller caisson ceilings. Some parts of the caissons still retain traces of colored paintings. The caissons and beams are carved with figures, dragons, phoenixes, and lions, all uniquely shaped and vividly lifelike. This opera stage is one of the best-preserved ancient stages in the region. It features an archaic and majestic design, with its entire interior crafted from zhu wood beams joined by mortise-and-tenon joints. Throughout the stage, including under the brackets, caissons, and camel hump beams, one can find exquisitely carved wooden figures—humans, dragons, phoenixes, and lions—all uniquely shaped and remarkably lifelike.

Protected area: 10 meters beyond the walls of the opera stage in the east, south, west, and north directions.

Construction control zone: 20 meters beyond the protected area in the east, west, and south directions, and 30 meters in the north.