Mingkou Gaoyang Ancestral Hall

Mingkou Gaoyang Ancestral Hall

Mingkou Gaoyang Ancestral Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

Mingkou Gaoyang Ancestral Hall

Mingkou Gaoyang Ancestral Hall is the ancestral hall of the Xu clan in Mingkou Village, Mingkou Town, Leping City. The hall is located in the center of Mingkou Village, facing south with its back to the north, and features a courtyard-style layout.

The construction of the hall began in the third year of the Qianlong reign and was completed in the twelfth year of the Qianlong reign. It was built to commemorate General Xu Ai, the Marquis of Gaoyang and a distinguished general under Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. The architectural specifications of the hall were modeled after the format of an “imperial palace,” consisting of an ancient architectural complex that includes a “pavilion gate, corridors, main hall, rear hall, Filial Piety Ancestral Hall, and Chastity Ancestral Hall.” Its grand scale, exquisite design, and majestic presence are remarkable. The pavilions and courtyards are ingeniously designed. The caisson ceilings and bracket sets are exquisitely decorated. The halls are covered floor to ceiling with vivid relief carvings. The painted murals on the caisson ceilings remain as vibrant as new. Notably, the central hall screen wall still retains over ten inscribed praises commemorating the meritorious deeds of ancestors throughout past dynasties. Especially striking are the four meticulously hand-chiseled massive round stone pillars and the ten green marble square pillars, which are truly breathtaking.

From a distance, the hall presents a clear and well-proportioned silhouette; up close, it appears classic, majestic, exquisite, and spectacular. It can be described as an ancient structure that integrates “architecture, sculpture, arts and crafts, and literature,” making it an invaluable treasure. It is also a rare cultural resource in Leping City, uniquely combining a renowned ancestral hall, a famous village, and a notable town in one.

Mingkou Village: Mingkou Village…… Detailed information on Mingkou Village++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units