Zhengcun Heyitang

Zhengcun Heyitang

Zhengcun Heyitang is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

Zhengcun Heyitang, Huangshan City, She County, Qing Dynasty

Heyitang is also known as the Second House of the Four Halls' Virtue Wing, or the Hanlin Academy, and was the former residence of Wang Yunlun, one of the "Three Miles, Three Hanlins." Built in the 45th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1780), it was constructed by Wang Weibing, a descendant of the Wang family, with support from his father, covering an area of 2.42 mu. The building has two main gates, eastern and western, and faces south. Its layout follows a fully enclosed Nine-Palace structure, measuring 48 meters in width and 33.8 meters in depth, with a total construction area of 1,612.3 square meters. From west to east, two lanes divide the structure into three rows, and from south to north, each row is further divided into front, middle, and rear sections. The layout is rational, with no two parts alike, creating a spectacular overall effect. There are 15 large and small halls, 17 courtyards, a total of 76 rooms including upstairs, downstairs, and side rooms, and 41 doors, all interconnected. The structure includes anti-theft and anti-seismic partition walls, as well as fire-resistant walls and fire alert systems, making the architectural layout extremely intricate, grand in scale, and considered a masterpiece of Huizhou-style residential architecture.

On the front, there is a large gate on each of the eastern and western sides. Inside the western gate is the main hall. The hall’s entrance gate tower has five tiers: the top tier features prominent upturned eaves with layered tiles; the second and third tiers display intricately carved patterns and four parallel openwork qilin (mythical creature) designs; the fourth and fifth tiers are framed with floral borders, and on each side is a painting of Jiang Ziya fishing — Jiang Ziya appears serene, with impeccably groomed beard and hair, fishing rod, line, hook, and basket seemingly floating above the water — a truly breathtaking scene. The beams and pillars of the hall are thick, round, and robust, with the main beam spanning the hall measuring 180 cm in circumference. The brackets and carvings depict flowers, plants, birds, and animals, all vivid and lifelike. The hall served as a venue for ceremonial gatherings. To the west of the main hall are a study, a fish pond hall, and a three-room account room. Further back are two-story buildings consisting of two sections of five rooms each. The square hall's columns, beams, and brackets are all square-shaped, symbolizing integrity and uprightness. The square hall was a space for men’s activities. Between the western and central sections lies a fire lane, with the square hall located to the east of the lane. The lower corridor of the square hall was originally a study, with a row of tall lattice windows facing the courtyard. The middle section consists of a quadrangle-style building, while the rear section has a three-room building, beyond which are the kitchen and passageway. A deep lane runs through the front and back, separating the central and eastern sections. Inside the eastern gate is the outer east hall, fitted with 24 exquisitely crafted lattice doors, with a courtyard in front. This area was used by female family members and children for reading and studying. The inner east hall is a three-room building, with a kitchen located in the rear section. The entire residence features ridges that crisscross overhead and a dynamic array of horse-head walls, presenting a grand and majestic sight, hence earning the name "Hanlin Academy."

Among the numerous well-preserved ancient Huizhou residences, Zhengcun Xixi’s Heyitang stands out for its completeness, grand scale, and exquisite craftsmanship. It is a shining jewel among Huizhou-style ancient architecture. Wang Yunlun, a Hanlin scholar of the Tongzhi era during the Qing Dynasty, was a proud offspring of this house, which is why it is also called the Hanlin Academy. This well-maintained, grand-scale, and finely built residence is a legacy of a scholar-official family and serves as a tangible example for studying the rituals and customs of feudal upper-class society, promoting national architectural aesthetics, and exploring the cultural characteristics of Huizhou.

Protected area: within the eaves' drip line on all sides and the front terrace.

Construction control zone: 50 meters outside the protected area on all sides.