Ancestral Hall of the Chu Family

Ancestral Hall of the Chu Family

The Ancestral Hall of the Chu Family is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Anhui Province.

The Ancestral Hall of the Chu Family is located in Huxiangfan, Zhongguan Town, Yuexi County, Anqing City, dating back to the late Qing Dynasty.

According to historical records, the "Ancestral Hall of the Chu Family" was first built in the guichou year (1853) of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty and took four years to complete. Although it has been 152 years since then, the structure remains largely intact. Its architecture is a typical example of the Huizhou style, featuring white walls and gray tiles, with high eaves and upturned corners. The ancestral hall faces south and is backed by mountains with water in front, symbolizing "a gate facing green mountains and windows overlooking clear waters." It is constructed with mortise-and-tenon joints using solid wood, divided into three tiers and five sections. The central entrance opens into a grand hall, which has a courtyard both in front and behind. Behind the hall lies another courtyard that leads to the shrine. On the screen wall of the grand hall is inscribed a couplet: “Read the books of sages and become men of noble character; heed the teachings of ancestors and be filial children and kind grandchildren,” encouraging descendants to study diligently and strive to become pillars of society devoted to serving the nation. The entire building is symmetrical along a central axis, with houses on both sides, totaling 36 rooms, covering an area of 1,236 square meters. At the time of its construction, people said, “It has never been seen before in history. Everyone felt a deep sense of origin and kinship, and the atmosphere of harmony flourished.”

In 2012, the Ancestral Hall of the Chu Family was announced as part of the seventh batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units by the People's Government of Anhui Province.

Protected Area: 20 meters east to farmland, 15 meters south to the mulberry garden on the back hill, 20 meters west to the mulberry garden, and 20 meters north to farmland beyond the heritage site itself.

Construction Control Zone: 20 meters east, south, and west, and 30 meters north beyond the protected area.

Zhongguan Town: Zhongguan Township is located in the southwestern part of Yuexi County, approximately 9 kilometers from the county seat. It governs seven administrative villages, with a population of 20,664 in 2005, covering a total area of 77 square kilometers. The arable land amounts to 13,800 mu, including 12,100 mu of paddy fields, accounting for 1/15 of the county’s total. It is a traditional agricultural hub and one of the few surplus grain-producing towns in the county’s history. The mountainous area spans 88,000 mu, including 20,000 mu of grassland. While per capita mountain area is not large, there is significant potential for developing usable low hills and earthen hills. With an average elevation of 600 meters, the climate is cool and temperate, with distinct seasons throughout the year... More detailed information about Zhongguan Town++