Zhixi Ancestral Hall Complex

Zhixi Ancestral Hall Complex

The Zhixi Ancestral Hall Complex is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Zhixi Ancestral Hall Complex is located in Zhixi Village, Miaoqian Town, Liancheng County, Longyan City. There are 74 ancestral halls in Zhixi, most of which feature a “hall-residence integrated” structure, predominantly designed in the “nine halls and eighteen courtyards” style, with exquisitely crafted gate towers. Among the most typical are the Chengchuan Ancestral Hall, Jizhan Hall, Huang Clan Ancestral Temple, Cuichou Ancestral Hall, Yang Clan Ancestral Temple, and Yanghui Ancestral Hall. It was designated as a Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2009.

On October 7, 2019, the Zhixi Ancestral Hall Complex was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Zhixi Village: Zhixi Village in Miaoqian Town, Liancheng County, Longyan City, is an ancient Hakka village with a population of ten thousand. It is home to four Hakka clans—the Huang, Yang, Qiu, and Hua—with the Huang and Yang being the most numerous. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, the ancestors of Zhixi Village have built 68 ancient ancestral halls and 138 historic residences. Aside from some structures dedicated solely to ancestor worship and clan gatherings, most of these Ming and Qing-era buildings are composite hall-residence complexes, commonly designed using the “nine halls and eighteen courtyards” layout typical of Hakka architecture. With spacious courtyards, carved beams and painted rafters, upturned eaves, and magnificent ornamentation, they have been praised by Hakka studies scholars as grand Hakka “mansions…” More details about Zhixi Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units