Ancestral Temple of the Xu Family of Nanzhao

Ancestral Temple of the Xu Family of Nanzhao

The Ancestral Temple of the Xu Family of Nanzhao is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

The Ancestral Temple of the Xu Family of Nanzhao is located on Chengnei Street in Nanzhao Town, Zhao’an County, and dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

Description: Built during the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty (1488–1505), it underwent minor renovations during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty (1662–1722) and the Republican era. Facing south, the structure consists of a front hall, a central courtyard with corridors, a main hall, and more, covering a construction area of 1,052 square meters. The main hall is five bays wide and five bays deep, featuring a post-and-lintel and through-tenon style framework, with a flush gable roof. It uses large timber materials, and the beams and frames are minimally ornamented, giving it a plain and robust style. This ancestral temple has significant historical connections related to Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities.

In 2013, the Ancestral Temple of the Xu Family of Nanzhao was designated as part of the eighth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage sites by the People’s Government of Fujian Province.

Protected area: Starting from the drip line of the gable walls on both sides, extending 12 meters east and west, 20 meters south from the drip line of the front hall’s eaves, and 20 meters north from the drip line of the main hall’s rear eaves.

Nanzhao Town: Nanzhao Town is located in the southern part of Zhao’an County, bordering the Dongxi River to the east. It serves as the economic, political, and cultural center of Zhao’an County. It is recognized as the “Hometown of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Art” and the “Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art,” and is also a provincial-level “Civilized Town,” “Commercial and Trade Hub Town,” and “Ecological Township.” The town currently covers an area of 17.5 square kilometers, with a planned area of 36.7 square kilometers. It administers 15 community committees and 2 administrative villages, with a total population of approximately 81,000. In 2015, the total rural economic income was 261.11 million yuan, and the per capita net income of farmers was 14,000 yuan.

In recent years, with the development of urbanization… More details about Nanzhao Town++

Further reading:

· Eighth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Sites in Fujian Province