Zhangpu Lan Clan Ancestral Hall

Zhangpu Lan Clan Ancestral Hall

Zhangpu Lan Clan Ancestral Hall is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

Lan Clan Ancestral Hall

Era: Ming and Qing Dynasties

Shi Yi Village, Chiling She Ethnic Township, Zhangpu County

Introduction: Initially built in the second year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1523), it was rebuilt during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty by Lan Li, the Fujian Provincial Commander-in-Chief. The ancestral hall faces southwest, with a construction area of 540.96 square meters, consisting of a front hall, main hall, and two side rooms. In front of the hall lies a large open courtyard, beneath which are seven ponds arranged like the Big Dipper. Behind the hall is a small rocky hill and two ponds resembling the sun and moon. Key subsidiary relics include a stele from the 34th year of the Kangxi reign (1695), located in the left wall of the front hall, titled “Record of the Ancestral Temple Renovation,” which describes Lan Li’s efforts in rebuilding the Zhongyu Hall, as well as a “Boundary Stone Stele” from the Dingmao year of the Republic of China.

Zhongyu Hall is located in Shi Yi Village, Chiling Township (formerly Changkeng), Zhangpu County. It was initially built in the second year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty and was later reconstructed during the Kangxi reign by Lan Li, the Fujian Provincial Land Forces Commander. The couplet on the hall’s gate reads: “Branching off from Zhenhai, we remember the virtues of our ancestors, the root and source of our lineage; settling by Changxi Stream, we continue our lineage, fostering civil and martial excellence in future generations.” This signifies that “Zhenhai” refers to the Zhenhai Guard of the Ming Dynasty, a critical coastal defense post in Zhangzhou from which many civil and military officials emerged. Zhongyu Hall is the ancestral temple of the She ethnic group in southern Fujian. Over the centuries, the descendants of the Lan family from Zhongyu Hall have not only spread throughout Chiling She Ethnic Township but also migrated to other areas, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, numbering over 50,000 in total. In prominent positions within Zhongyu Hall hang three plaques bestowed by emperors of the Qing Dynasty: the “Unmatched in Any Direction” plaque given by Emperor Kangxi to Lan Li, the “Grand General Who Pacified the Platform” plaque awarded by Emperor Kangxi to Lan Tingzhen, and the “Just, Honest, and Incorruptible” plaque conferred by Emperor Yongzheng to Lan Dingyuan. These three individuals were renowned officials celebrated for their roles in pacifying and governing Taiwan, collectively known as the “Three Lan Heroes.” Brief introductions to Lan Li, Lan Tingzhen, and Lan Dingyuan are as follows:

Lan Li (1649–1720), from Changkeng (now Shi Yi Village, Chiling), was a man of imposing stature and exceptional martial prowess in his youth, said to be able to pull a horse backward by force. He vowed, “If I do not become a lord or general in the future, I am no true man.” In the 22nd year of the Kangxi reign (1683), he joined Shi Lang, the Fujian Naval Commander-in-Chief, in the campaign to pacify Taiwan. During the Battle of Penghu, he was struck by a cannonball, fell, and had his intestines spill out, staining his battle robe with blood. With the help of his brother, he placed his intestines back inside and continued fighting bravely, eventually helping to quell the rebellion of Zheng Keshuang and restore Taiwan to the motherland. Kangxi praised him for “fighting bravely to defeat the enemy, his merit foremost,” and honored him as the “Belly-Slit General.” He was successively appointed by Emperor Kangxi as Deputy Commander of Shenmu and Commander-in-Chief of Xuanhua Prefecture. In the 29th year of Kangxi’s reign (1690), he was transferred to serve as Commander-in-Chief of Dinghai in Zhejiang; in the 42nd year (1703), he was moved to serve as Commander-in-Chief of Tianjin; and in the 45th year (1706), he was promoted to Fujian Provincial Land Forces Commander. In the 54th year of Kangxi’s reign (1715), when Galdan rebelled with the support of the Russian Tsar, Lan Li led his four sons alongside commander Mu’ersai in the campaign. Due to his advanced age and the recurrence of old wounds, he passed away in 1720 at the age of 72 in Lantian Village, Tianjin. Two years later, his wife and sons escorted his coffin back to Zhangpu for burial. Throughout his life, Lan Li achieved remarkable military feats. Shi Lang called him a “tiger-like general,” and Emperor Kangxi inscribed for him the phrases “Brave and Resolute, Yet Simple” and “Unmatched in Any Direction.”

Lan Tingzhen (1663–1729), courtesy name Jingpu, was from Huxi, Zhangpu County. In the 34th year of the Kangxi reign, he served as a centurion in the Dinghai Battalion of Zhejiang; in the 44th year, he was promoted to lieutenant of the Right Battalion of Wenzhou Garrison; in the 58th year, he became deputy commander of Penghu and then Commander-in-Chief of Nanao. In the 60th year, he volunteered to lead troops in battle against the rebel Zhu Yigui in Taiwan. After the pacification of Taiwan, Lan Tingzhen was ordered to remain on the island to serve temporarily as Commander-in-Chief for three years. During this time, he proposed a series of visionary suggestions and measures for the governance and development of Taiwan, exerting a profound influence on Taiwan’s historical progress. His actions demonstrated his political foresight and governance ability regarding issues of China’s territorial integrity, thus cementing his place in Taiwanese history.

Lan Dingyuan (1680–1733), from Changkeng (now Chiling), was diligent in studying a wide range of texts and economics in his youth. His literary talent earned the admiration of Chen Ruxian, the magistrate of Zhangpu County. When Zhang Boxing, the Fujian Governor, established Ao Feng Academy in Fuzhou, Lan Dingyuan was invited to attend. Zhang Boxing held him in high esteem, calling him a “talent capable of managing worldly affairs and a support to our path.” In the 60th year of the Kangxi reign, when a peasant uprising led by Zhu Yigui broke out in Taiwan, Lan Dingyuan was recruited by his kinsman and Nanao Commander-in-Chief Lan Tingzhen to serve as an advisor, accompanying the army to Taiwan to quell the rebellion. He conducted in-depth investigations into local conditions, strategized extensively, and formulated nineteen governance strategies for Taiwan. He authored works such as “Records of the Pacification of Taiwan” and “Eastern Collected Writings,” offering practical suggestions for Taiwan’s governance and development. Later generations called him the “Master of Taiwan Governance.” In the 6th year of the Yongzheng reign (1728), upon recommendation by Grand Secretary Zhu Shi, the court appointed Lan Dingyuan as magistrate of Puning, Guangdong. In the 11th year of Yongzheng (1733), he was promoted to prefect of Guangzhou but passed away just one month into the role at the age of 54. A pillar couplet at his memorial park summarizes his life’s contributions: “Far-reaching strategies and vision—truly worthy of the title Master of Taiwan Planning; firm yet lenient governance—truly a talent for managing worldly affairs.”

Protected Area:

Extending 70 meters southwest from the building, and 20 meters outward in the southeast, northwest, and northeast directions.

In 2009, Zhangpu Lan Clan Ancestral Hall was designated as a seventh batch provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People's Government of Fujian Province.

Chiling She Ethnic Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Zhangpu County. Established as Chiling Township in the 29th year of the Republic of China (1940), it became a commune in 1958 and was re-designated as a She Ethnic Township in 1984. Located in the northeastern part of the county, southwest of Yangmei Reservoir, it covers an area of 992 square kilometers with a population of 120,000, 90% of whom are She people. Roads such as Guan (Xun)–Fo (Tan), Chiling (Ling)–Hu (Xi), Chiling (Ling)–San (Gu), Chiling (Ling)–Ma (Ping), and Chiling (Ling)–Dai (Mao) Shan intersect here. The township administers nine village committees: Chiling, Qianyuan, Yangmei, Shanping, Tuta, Shikeng, Shi Yi, Youkeng, and Dakeng. Major industries include furniture, stone slab materials, etc. More details about Chiling She Ethnic Township ++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites in Fujian Province