Duc Cheng Hall

Duc Cheng Hall

The Western-style Ship House, also known as Duc Cheng Hall, was built in the late Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. It is surrounded by high walls, with deep trenches on both sides. Both the walls and the main structure were constructed to resemble the shape of a ship, following the natural terrain. The "bow" of the ship is sharply angled, with the tips of the courtyard walls slightly upturned. The garden and the private school within the courtyard do not rise above the wall height, nor show any significant elevation difference—except for the two-story "Mei Family Village School", where the upper floor protrudes above the wall, resembling the "pilot house" cabin. The midsection houses large residential buildings and halls, giving the impression of the "passenger cabins".

The walls around the horse stable and kitchen are built with tall, stepped horse-head walls to shield the interior structures. The Fengzi River, originating from the Huangshan Mountain Range, flows swiftly along the deep trenches dug on either side of the Ship House. Viewed from above, the Western-style Ship House resembles an "ocean-going vessel" sailing upstream. After enduring over 150 years of wind, rain, and wave erosion, this massive and peculiar "foreign ship" continues to "sail" along the Fengzi River.

Exact location: Huangtian Village, Langqiao Town, Jing County