Tianxin Hall

Tianxin Hall

Tianxin Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

Tianxin Hall is located in Zhanqi Village, She County.

Constructed in the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, it is a well-preserved residence from that time. Tianxin Hall is noted for its elegant layout and exquisite carvings, and is currently a key cultural relic protection unit of She County. The main gate has no decorative floral brick arch, presenting instead a bold and plain style. Entering through the gate leads to the entrance hall, where the moon beams at both ends are fitted with bracket arms (dingtougong), and wing rooms are situated on the left and right. On either side of the courtyard are corridors, with a staircase located in the right corridor. The central hall is spacious, while the wing rooms on either side are narrower. The rear hall has a small courtyard along the side wall, with corridors on both sides. The railings of the upper-floor courtyard are fitted with “flying chairs” (feilaiyi), whose backs are arched and about [height missing] meters high. The outer side of the railing panels is covered with floral ornaments, divided into five sections by the back-supporting pillars, each with four tiers. The first tier features carvings of “pot doors”; the second and third tiers have various floral patterns in each small compartment; the fourth tier displays carved vases with lotus leaves, arranged in an orderly fashion. The other three sides of the courtyard railing have only flat panels with wooden grids, with handrails installed on the upper part. The windows facing the courtyard have lattice frames, with decorative lattice screens installed on the outside.

The plaque inscribed with the name “Tianxin Hall” was written by Dong Qichang, a renowned painter and calligrapher of the late Ming Dynasty. This Tianxin Hall is notable for its typical layout and exquisite carvings. Its floor plan follows the “five-bay official hall” and “one-house-two-courtyards” style, characteristic of official residences built during the Ming Dynasty. The interior features properly made and traditionally styled wooden components such as conical columns, bracket sets, eagle-beak brackets, cicada-belly braces, and sparrow-bracket supports. Tianxin Hall holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value.