Shangtaoyang Zhao Clan Shrine

Shangtaoyang Zhao Clan Shrine

Shangtaoyang Zhao Clan Shrine is a cultural relic protection unit of Fu’an City.

Shangtaoyang Zhao Clan Shrine is located in Shangtaoyang Natural Village, Niyang Village, Tan Tou Town, Fu’an City. Its original construction date is unknown, but it was rebuilt in the 25th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1686). It is categorized as an ancient architectural structure.

Located between the head of Shangtaoyang (also known as Shangniyang or Cangli) Natural Village in Niyang Village, Tan Tou Town, and the end of Cuji Village, this shrine has been used by generations of the Zhao clan in Shangtaoyang Village to worship their ancestors. Although its original construction date is unknown, it was rebuilt in the 25th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1686) and renovated again in the first year of the Tongzhi reign (1862). It faces southwest and is built along a northeast-southwest axis. The structure is a single-unit brick-and-timber corridor-style building, measuring 11.09 meters in width and 12.6 meters in depth, covering a total area of 139.7 square meters. The shrine consists of a main gate, an inner courtyard, and a main hall. The hall has three bays with side corridors on both left and right sides and five pillars in depth. The central bay features an octagonal caisson ceiling, positioned 3.79 meters above the ground, with dimensions of 3.77 meters in both length and width, covering an area of approximately 14.2 square meters. The caisson is decorated with polychrome paintings arranged in two tiers — the upper tier depicts the Eight Immortals, while the lower tier illustrates eight renowned literati and their favored motifs from history. The top of the caisson features carvings of a pair of phoenixes facing the rising sun and peony flowers. The interior beams beneath the caisson ceiling are adorned with polychrome paintings depicting the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars. All the floral, avian, and human figures painted inside the caisson are hand-drawn, showcasing exquisite brushwork that is truly breathtaking. Moreover, these paintings incorporate motifs reflecting the tastes of famous historical literati, making them unique in all of China. They hold significant research value for the study of historical mural art in the region and the cultural values upheld by local communities.

On February 20, 2013, the People’s Government of Fu’an City designated it as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit in the fifth batch of such listings.

Protected area: An extension of 10 meters beyond the outer walls of the structure.

Tan Tou Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Fu’an City. Established as Tan Tou Commune in 1969, reorganized as a township in 1984, and upgraded to a town in 1992. It is located in the northern part of the city, 18 kilometers from the municipal government. Covering an area of 150 square kilometers, it has a population of 37,000. The town administers 29 village committees: Tan Tou, Fuluoban, Dongsheng, Dazhuang, Jianbing, Yuxiyang, Niyang, Gaoyan, Dongkun, Xiyangjing, Shuyang, Keyang, Nanyan, Qianshiting, Donglingyang, Tangxi, Fenyang, Citangqian, Zhatou, Houyang, Taifeng, Dongkeng, Shangpingyang, Xikeng, Kangping, Xiayang, Banjing, Houjialong, and Eshan. The main agricultural products include rice and tubers, along with… More details about Tan Tou Town ++

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units in Fu’an City