Leping Ancient Stage

Leping Ancient Stages

The Leping Ancient Stages are cultural relics protected at the provincial level in Jiangxi Province.

Leping Stages (including Chuanfang Yu Family Stage, Yu Family Stage and Ancestral Hall, Yongshan Zhaomu Hall Stage, Longzhu Stage, Daicun Shangfang Ancestral Hall Stage, Chexi Dunben Hall Stage, Henglu Wannian Stage)

Leping is known as the “Museum of Ancient Chinese Stages,” with over 412 existing stages. They shine like stars, scattered across the rural areas of the city. Many of them are architectural works from the Ming and Qing dynasties. By attribute, they include ancestral hall stages, temple stages, guild stages, and residential courtyard stages; by function, there are open-air stages and all-weather stages; by structure, there are wooden, stone, and mixed stone-wood structures. No matter the type, their majestic forms, grand presence, and exquisite craftsmanship are truly breathtaking. The Leping ancient stages are a rare cultural tourism resource at home and abroad, embodying a valuable national cultural heritage that fuses architecture, craftsmanship, sculpture, fine arts, and literature. They hold significant historical, artistic, scientific, and aesthetic value, attracting widespread attention and keen interest from numerous domestic and international media, scholars, and tourists. Nearly 40 media outlets at home and abroad have featured special reports on them.

Representative examples of Leping’s ancient stages include:

(1) Yongshan Zhaomu Hall Ancestral Stage The Yongshan Zhaomu Hall Ancestral Stage was built during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty. It features a three-bay, four-pillar, hip-and-gable roof style. The stage is simple, rustic, delicate, and ingenious, described as “exquisite craftsmanship and grand architecture, truly miraculous workmanship.” This is one of the oldest stages among Leping’s ancient stages, making it particularly precious.

(2) Xiangjiazhuang Wugui Hall Ancestral Stage The Xiangjiazhuang Wugui Hall Ancestral Stage was built in the 8th year of the Yongzheng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1730). It has a double-eave, triple-curved hip-and-gable roof, a three-bay, four-pillar, triple-phoenix tower style. The front of the stage faces the ancestral hall directly, while the back does not lean against the main gate—an ingenious departure from the late Ming and early Qing convention where ancestral hall stages always abutted the main gate—enriching the aesthetic interplay between stages and halls during this historical period.

(3) Chexi Dunben Hall Stage The Chexi Dunben Hall Stage is an ancestral hall stage located within the Zhu Clan Ancestral Hall Dunben Hall in Chexi Village, Yongshan Town. It is an ancient building from the Ming and Qing periods, initially constructed in the 11th year of the Qianlong reign (1746). It has a three-bay, four-pillar, triple-phoenix tower style and a double-eave, double-bracketed hip-and-gable roof. The stage’s ornamental ridge is richly layered and intricately carved. Not only is the stage itself grand and exquisitely detailed, but the entire structure is also large-scale and functionally complex, representing a prime example of ancestral hall stages in the Rao and Huizhou regions.

(4) Nan’an Double-Sided Stage Originally built in the 38th year of the Qinglong reign as a single-sided ancestral hall stage, it was later converted into a double-sided stage. It has a three-bay, four-pillar, triple-phoenix tower style and a double-eave, triple-curved hip-and-gable roof. Known for its imposing presence, refined carvings, and beautiful decorations, it once stood out in the suburbs of Leping City.

(5) Huyan Mingfen Hall Double-Sided Stage The Huyan Mingfen Hall Double-Sided Stage was built in the 12th year of the Daoguang reign (1833). As a double-sided stage, locals call it the “all-weather stage” or “mandarin duck stage.” The sunny-side stage has a three-bay, four-pillar, triple-phoenix tower design with two flush gables and a double-eave, double-bracketed hip-and-gable roof. Its interior and exterior are covered with over a hundred elaborately carved theatrical scenes, luxuriously decorated and dazzlingly resplendent. The rainy-side stage is an open cantilevered structure with a suspended gable roof. Though less grand than the sunny side, it has a distinctive elegance, refinement, and charm.

The Huyan Stage is famed for its “ingeniously complex architecture and luxurious, splendid decoration,” and is considered a masterpiece among the finest of Leping’s ancient stages.

(6) Daicun Shangfang and Zhongfang Stages The Daicun Shangfang Stage features antique porcelain ridge tiles, a green-tiled roof, and crocodile finials. At the center of the roof ridge sits a cluster of ancient Cisha porcelain pieces in varying sizes, with small wind bells hanging from the four eaves corners, resembling a soaring eagle with crisp, tinkling sounds echoing throughout the village—truly majestic. The stage boasts uniquely exquisite carvings with a resplendent golden-yellow hue, and the flying eaves atop the qilin-dragon ridge are awe-inspiring. At the center of the main hall hangs a gilded plaque inscribed with the characters “以古为监 (Take History as a Mirror),” shining brilliantly. County records indicate this stage was once renowned along the Yang River. The Daicun Zhongfang Stage was built in the 14th year of the Daoguang reign, over 170 years ago. It is a brick-and-wood structure, sturdy and durable, with unique carvings. Beams, walls, and edges are adorned with delicately crafted figures from operas, dragons, phoenixes, flowers, and birds. Despite over 170 years of history, most of its intricate artistry remains well-preserved. The stage’s four corners rise elegantly, each adorned with a two-kilogram bronze bell that chimes melodiously in the wind.

(7) Kengkou Wannian Stage The Kengkou Wannian Stage was initially built in the 25th year of the Daoguang reign and later modified into a Wannian (perennial) stage during renovations. Resembling the Huyan Stage closely, it is praised as one of Leping’s “sister stages.”

(8) Hanjia Wannian Stage Construction of the Hanjia Wannian Stage began in the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921) and was completed seven years later. It has a three-bay, four-pillar, two-eave, two-golden-roof, one-story design with a flush gable roof. Although lacking flying eaves, its ingenious framework, fine carvings, and fully gilded surface make it stand out in the southeastern countryside of Leping.

(9) Guanfeng Zhangjia Wannian Stage Built in the 1930s during the Republic of China era, this stage has a five-bay, four-pillar, five-phoenix tower style and a double-eave, triple-curved hip-and-gable roof. Its eaves and covered walkways extend forward in a graceful, undulating rhythm, creating a richly layered roofline and ornamental ridge.

(10) Henglu Wannian Stage Originally built during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, the Henglu Wannian Stage was renovated and rebuilt on-site in 1956 following its original design. This stage is of exceptional quality, with an elegant overall form, refined structural proportions, and is considered a rare gem among Wannian stages.

(11) Nanjiashou Wannian Stage The Nanjiashou Wannian Stage was built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty and renovated in 1982. It has a five-bay, four-pillar, five-story, two-flush-gable style and a double-eave, triple-curved hip-and-gable roof. The roof is multi-tiered and rugged. Though constructed with reinforced concrete, it represents one of Leping’s earlier successful attempts to mimic traditional timberwork with embedded carved elements, making it a notable example.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units