The Ancient Residential Complex of Hucun

The Ancient Residential Complex of Hucun

The Ancient Residential Complex of Hucun is a cultural heritage site of Anhui Province and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

A provincial-level cultural heritage site, located in Fuling Town, Jixi County, the ancient residences of Hucun are well known for their distinctive brick-carved door screens, with the residences of Yu Shewang, Zhang Zuwang, Zhang Zuqiang, and Zhang Xiuzhen being the most representative. These brick carvings differ in style and content, and in terms of workmanship, they are exquisitely crafted and remarkably refined, rarely seen in traditional Huizhou architecture, thus holding high cultural heritage value. In May 1998, it was designated as a provincial cultural heritage site, with approval document No. Wan Zheng [1998] No. 16.

The Ancestral Hall of the Zhang Clan:

A provincial-level cultural heritage site, located in Hucun, Fuling Town, covering a total area of 867.5 square meters, this is a Qing Dynasty structure. The ancestral hall consists of three sections—front, middle, and rear—facing east with a west orientation. The front gate tower features a hip-and-gable roof, with a combination of raised-beam and through-tenon framing, a clay-tamped floor, and fireproof walls. The ceremonial gate is painted with images of Qin Shubao and Yu Chigong. Beyond it lies a courtyard and corridors. The corridors are three bays wide and one bay deep, featuring arched galleries, and the courtyard is paved with flagstones. A central pathway leads to the main hall, which is three bays wide and three bays deep, with a gablet roof walkway at the front. The hall also uses a combination of raised-beam and through-tenon framing, and has a clay-tamped floor. Further back is another courtyard, where steps at the north and south ends lead up to the shrine hall. The shrine hall is five bays wide and three bays deep, with stone balustrades on the front eaves. The central bay displays plaques inscribed with “Literary Champion” and “Martial Champion.” At the front end of the northern gable wall, there is a side door adorned with a brick-carved door screen featuring hanging floral designs. The ancestral hall is well preserved and holds high cultural heritage value. In 1997, it was designated as a key cultural heritage site of the county, with approval document No. Jizheng [1997] No. 35. In June 2012, it was upgraded to a provincial-level heritage site and incorporated into the Hucun Residential Complex listing, under approval document No. Wan Zheng Mi (2012) No. 300.

Protected Area:

(1) Ancient Residential Complex of Hucun: A protected zone of 5 meters on the east, south, west, and north sides, with an additional buffer of 10 meters beyond that on all sides

(2) Ancestral Hall of the Zhang Clan: A protected zone of 10 meters on the east, south, west, and north sides, with an additional buffer of 50 meters beyond that on all sides

Construction Control Zone:

(1) Ancient Residential Complex of Hucun: A control zone of 10 meters on the east, south, west, and north sides beyond the protected area

(2) Ancestral Hall of the Zhang Clan: A control zone of 50 meters on the east, south, west, and north sides