Hushan Mingfen Hall Stage

Hushan Mingfen Hall Stage

The Hushan Mingfen Hall Stage is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Hushan Mingfen Hall Stage

The Mingfen Hall Stage is located in Hushan Village, Zhenqiao Town, Leping City. It consists of a stage for both sunny and rainy weather, side pavilions (audience stands), and Mingfen Hall (the ancestral temple of the Cheng family), forming an enclosed courtyard. It is a double-sided ancestral hall stage for both fair and inclement weather, also known as the Mandarin Duck Stage. According to the 1937 edition of the "Hushan Cheng Family Genealogy," the Cheng family has resided in Hushan for over 40 generations. The Mingfen Hall was first built in the 22nd year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty (1817). Fourteen years after the completion of the ancestral hall, plans for the stage began. Its design draws inspiration from classical Chinese archway architecture. Legend has it that over 70 skilled craftsmen were gathered to meticulously design and construct the stage, which took three years to complete. The Mingfen Hall Stage is a product of the union between theatrical culture and clan consciousness, bringing theatrical performances into the once strictly guarded ancestral temple. It underwent renovation in the 11th year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1872), with efforts made to preserve its original appearance during the restoration.

The sunny and rainy stage is the main structure of the Mingfen Hall Stage, renowned for its “ingeniously complex architecture and luxurious, splendid decorations.” The stage is 25 meters wide, 12 meters deep, and 14 meters high, resembling an ancient pavilion. Its beams and pillars are sturdy, and the sculptures across the stage are exquisitely crafted, giving it a grand and imposing presence. The entire structure is adorned in gold, creating a resplendent and magnificent effect. The sunny stage faces the square, while the rainy stage directly faces the main hall. The two stages lean against each other back-to-back, forming a unified whole. Its ingenious design, unique structure, exquisite carvings, and elaborate layout are truly unparalleled.

Leping has long been known as the “Hometown of Gan Opera” and the “Museum of Ancient Chinese Stages.” The area is home to over 80 ancient stages from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Hushan Mingfen Hall Stage is a classic example of Leping’s ancient stages and one of the city’s best-preserved ancient theaters. It has been praised by experts as the “pinnacle of ancient stages.”

Why has the Mingfen Hall Stage stood firmly and continued to shine brilliantly despite more than 170 years of wind and rain? Jiang Qinglin, director of the Leping City Museum, explained that this is mainly thanks to the joint efforts of the government and the villagers of Hushan, who have adhered to the principle of “restoring the old as it was” in protecting the ancient stage. During the Cultural Revolution, although some reliefs and decorative craftsmanship on the Mingfen Hall Stage were damaged, the villagers cherished it as a treasure and made every effort to protect it. In 1981, they voluntarily raised funds for its restoration, ensuring the entire structure remained intact and was revitalized. In 1983, the Hushan Mingfen Hall Stage was listed as a municipal-level key cultural relics protection unit, and in 2000, it was elevated to a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.

Hushan Village: Hushan Village…… More details about Hushan Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units