The Zuwu Kesheng Archway and the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall

The Zuwu Kesheng Archway and the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall

The Zuwu Kesheng Archway and the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall are cultural heritage sites protected at the provincial level in Jiangxi Province.

The Zuwu Kesheng Archway and the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall are located in Xinxiwu Group, Dakeng Village, Zhoutian Town, Huichang County. The Zuwu Kesheng Archway was built during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty by Zhang Yundi. The archway faces south and is constructed from red strip stones. It features six pillars, five gates, and five stories, standing 7 meters tall with a width of 6.4 meters and a depth of 2.9 meters. The stone carvings on the archway are exquisitely detailed, and the lintel is inscribed with four bold running-script characters reading “Zuwu Kesheng” (roughly translating to “Following the Martial Legacy”). The entire structure is well-preserved, with intricate carvings, making it a rare Qing Dynasty archway with a verifiable date. It serves as an important reference for architecture of that period and holds significant historical and artistic value.

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The Zhang Family Ancestral Hall consists of the Zhang Zhen Ancestral Hall and the Zhang Xuan Ancestral Hall, which stand side by side. The Zhang Zhen Ancestral Hall was built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty by Zhang Zhen. It faces southwest and is built with a brick-and-wood structure, featuring fireproof walls and a floor paved with blue bricks. The hall is divided into upper and lower sections with a central courtyard, and the middle hall displays a plaque inscribed with “Yigu Hall,” gifted by Mao Bowen. There are eight stone pillars and four wooden pillars. The Zhang Xuan Ancestral Hall was built by Zhang Xuan, the younger brother of Zhang Zhen. According to the Zhang Family Genealogy, Zhang Xuan privately established the ancestral hall in his prime and named it “Yijing Hall.” Later generations renamed it the “Zhang Xuan Ancestral Hall” in honor of their fifth-generation ancestor, Zhang Xuan. This hall also faces southwest and features a brick-and-wood structure with fireproof walls and a blue-brick floor. It is divided into upper, middle, and lower halls, with two courtyards in the center. The middle hall displays a plaque inscribed with “Yijing Hall,” gifted by Mao Bowen (who served as Minister of War during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty). There are six stone pillars and six wooden pillars. Both halls have stone pillars engraved with couplets. The Zhang Family Ancestral Hall has undergone multiple renovations and remains well-preserved. Its architecture features carved beams and painted rafters, adorned with motifs of figures, landscapes, and flowers, giving it a rich cultural atmosphere. It holds high historical value and is a precious cultural heritage site.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites