Gao Lake South Lake Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall

Gao Lake South Lake Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall

The Gao Lake South Lake Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Fuzhou City.

The Gao Lake South Lake Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall is located next to Gao Lake Market in Gao Lake Village, Gaishan Town, Cangshan District. It was first built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, initiated and funded by Zheng Shanfu, an official from the Ministry of Personnel's Verification and Enfeoffment Department, and was renovated in the 17th year of the Daoguang reign (1837) during the Qing Dynasty. Covering an area of 854 square meters, the hall is oriented at 85 degrees southeast and consists of a gate tower, front hall, main hall, wing rooms, and courtyard. The gate tower is designed in the form of a memorial archway, featuring bracket arms with ruyi motifs under the eaves, a double-eaved hanging hip roof, and a pair of stone drum-shaped door guards at the entrance. Inside the entrance is a dragon-phoenix caisson ceiling, flanked by corridors. The first bay has a width of three bays and a depth of five columns; the second bay, which is the main hall, also has a width of three bays and a depth of five columns, both featuring post-and-lintel construction and double-sloped roofs. The original stage has collapsed, and the screen wall has been altered. A stele inscribed with Lin Zexu’s “Record of the Sacrificial Fields of the South Lake Zheng Clan” once stood here but is now housed in the Stele Corridor of Yu Hill in Fuzhou. In November 1992, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit. It stands as one of the important examples of Ming Dynasty ancestral temple architecture.

The South Lake Zheng Clan traces its lineage to Zheng Lu, Zheng Zhuang, and Zheng Shu, collectively known as the “Three Masters of South Lake.” Zheng Zhao, who served as the Prefect of Quanzhou and Jianzhou during the Jin Dynasty, passed through Putou while admiring the local customs, relocated his ancestral tomb to Nanshan, though he did not settle there at the time. In the second year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (743), the Three Masters moved from Houguan to Yongtai to escape the turmoil caused by Li Chengzhao, then traveled from Yongtai to Putian. They built thatched huts near their ancestral tombs. At the foot of Nanshan Mountain lies a lake, hence named South Lake. The Three Masters established a lecture hall by the lake to promote Confucian studies, becoming pioneers in education in Putian, which is how the area got its name “South Lake.” The descendants of the Zheng Clan in Putian continued for twelve generations until Zheng Yuanshen relocated to Gao Lake Village on the outskirts of Fuzhou, becoming the founding ancestor of the Gao Lake Zheng Clan. To honor their roots, they have always regarded “South Lake” as their ancestral home. The Zheng descendants living in Gao Lake have flourished through generations, producing many talented individuals. For instance, in the fifth generation, there were nine sons and thirty grandsons, whose scholarly and official achievements were unparalleled in the region.

Renovated in the 17th year of the Daoguang reign (1837).

Designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit in November 1992.

Gao Lake Village: Gao Lake Village is located on the east side of Lianjiang South Road, in the northeastern part of the town.

Boundaries: To the east is Jiangbian Village, to the west it neighbors Xianfeng Village along Lianjiang South Road, to the south it connects with Cangshan Science and Technology Park, and to the north it borders Tuofu Building Materials Market.

Natural villages (or villager groups) within the jurisdiction: The village comprises six natural villages—Sanzuo, Dacheng, Longyuan, Qiaonan, Fotin, and Qigan—and seventeen villager groups.

Area (various land types): The total land area of the village is 4 square kilometers, with 93 mu of arable land currently.

Resident population: 2,204 households, 6,749 people.

Migrant population: 21,563 people (not... Detailed information about Gao Lake Village++)