The Yan Clan Ancestral Hall in Shitai

The Yan Clan Ancestral Hall in Shitai

The Yan Clan Ancestral Hall in Shitai is a cultural heritage site protected by Anhui Province.

The Yan Clan Ancestral Hall is located in Yanjia Village, Dayan Township, Shitai County.

According to the "Yan Clan Genealogy" treasured in Yanjia Village, its descendants are from Yan Ziling. Covering an area of over 530 square meters, it was built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. This ancestral hall is an ancient structure from the late Ming and early Qing periods. Its architecture is highly distinctive and serves as a typical representation of ancient ancestral hall buildings in the mountainous regions of southern Anhui.

Dayan Township: Dayan Township is located in the southern part of Shitai County, about 15 kilometers from the county seat. The township administers 11 administrative villages, has a population of 8,100, and covers an area of 140 square kilometers.

The name of Dayan Township was given during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties by Wu Yingji, a renowned literary figure and leader of the Fu She Society in China. At that time, Wu Yingji returned home to visit his family. On the evening of his arrival, a performance of the Mulian Opera was being held in his hometown. Despite the fatigue from traveling, he eagerly went to watch the show. When Wu Yingji arrived at the theater, the local people cheered loudly and proposed that he inscribe the name of the stage. Deeply moved, Wu Yingji gladly picked up his brush and wrote the two large characters “大演” (Dayan). After Wu Yingji’s passing, the local people… [More details about Dayan Township] ++