Shrine of the Hereditary Officials

Shrine of the Hereditary Officials

The Shrine of the Hereditary Officials is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shrine of the Hereditary Officials

Located in the center of Shangchi Village, it is a typical Jiangnan-style ancestral hall constructed with high-quality brick, wood, and stone, preserving many exquisite brick carvings and wood carvings.

, as well as stone carvings. The hall faces south with its back to the north, featuring three halls and three bays. It is 12.2 meters wide, 30.4 meters deep, 6 meters high,

and covers an area of 366 square meters. The main gate features a stone plaque with the three Chinese characters “世宦祠” (Shi Huan Ci, meaning Shrine of the Hereditary Officials) engraved in regular script. The side gates bear plaques inscribed with the words “登科” (Deng Ke, meaning Passed the Imperial Examination) and “及第” (Ji Di, meaning Achieved the Highest Rank), displaying fluid brushwork and vigorous strokes. Each of the three gates is flanked by a stone pier (commonly referred to as “three gates and six piers”). The front hall is 7.65 meters deep, the middle hall 12.3 meters, and the rear hall 6.9 meters, arranged in a slope that is higher at the back and lower at the front. Two courtyards are situated in between, with fireproof gables, representing a classic example of Ming Dynasty architecture. In the old days, Shangchi Village had a literary association (formed by scholars, examination candidates, and local intellectuals), and every year on the third day of the first lunar month, students would gather in the Shrine of the Hereditary Officials to pay homage to the portrait of their revered ancestor Wang Anshi, expressing their respect for scholarship and ancestors. This tradition was commonly known as “Respect for the School.”

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units