Hall of Glorious Blessings

Hall of Glorious Blessings

The Hall of Glorious Blessings is located in Xidi Village, Yi County, Anhui Province. It was built in the third year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1664) and was the former residence of Hu Shangzeng, the 25th-generation ancestor of the Mingjing Hu clan, who held the official rank of Second-Class.

Constructed in the third year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1664), the Hall of Glorious Blessings was the former residence of Hu Shangzeng, the 25th-generation ancestor of the Mingjing Hu clan who held the rank of Second-Class official. Hu Shangzeng was the eldest son of Hu Guansan and the father of Hu Jitang, the owner of the Lodge of Happiness.

The central gate (also called the ceremonial gate) has a high threshold. In ancient times, the height of the threshold symbolized the official rank of the homeowner—this being a Second-Class official’s gate, it is naturally much higher than the one you saw earlier at the “Official Mansion.” The central gate was only opened for weddings, celebrations, or visits from high-ranking dignitaries. On ordinary days, visitors would use the side gates. Civil officials entered from the right, military officers from the left, and only officials of Rank Seven or above were permitted to open the main gate, step over the threshold, and enter. The front section of the Hall of Glorious Blessings consists of an upper and lower hall, three rooms, and wing rooms on both sides. The diagonal braces of the eaves columns are carved into crouching lions, while the wooden lotus-pattern doors inside, along with some antique furniture, are exquisitely crafted, reflecting the former grandeur of the homeowner. The rear section is a three-room structure that was remodeled early on and is not open to the public.

Xidi Village: Xidi Village is located in Dongyuan Township, Yi County, at the southern foot of the Huangshan Mountain Range in Anhui Province. It lies eight kilometers east of the county town, with the road from Yicheng to Tankou passing by the northwest side of the village.

The ancient residences of Xidi are largely well-preserved, featuring a distinctive architectural style within the Huizhou tradition. The craftsmanship is exquisite, especially the Three Carvings (stone, wood, and brick), with stone carving being particularly outstanding. These elements serve not only as tangible artifacts for studying Qing Dynasty residential architecture but also as valuable resources for researching the socio-economic patterns of Huizhou merchants, as well as architectural and art history since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Recognized as the "Museum of Ming and Qing Residential Architecture," the "Treasury of Eastern Culture," and the "Best-Preserved... Detailed Information of Xidi Village++