The Wu Family Ancestral Hall and Chongben School

The Wu Family Ancestral Hall and Chongben School

The Wu Family Ancestral Hall and Chongben School are cultural heritage sites protected at the provincial level in Jiangxi Province.

Name: Wu Family Ancestral Hall

Era: Ming Dynasty Wanli to early Republican period

Address: Can Shi Village, Gangshang Town, Nanchang County

Located in Can Shi Village, Gangshang Town, Nanchang County, the Wu Family Ancestral Hall is the ancestral temple of the Wu clan villagers in this area. The structure was initially built during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, with the third section renovated in the fifth year of the Republic of China (1916).

The Wu Family Ancestral Hall covers an area of 2,400 square meters (including a building area of 1,538 square meters), featuring a post-and-lintel timber frame construction with grayish-blue brick outer walls. The entrance gate tower is imposing, while the second section, "Cuihuan Hall," and the third section, "Chongben Hall," exude solemnity, all reflecting the architectural style of the late Qing Dynasty.

The main structure remains largely intact, though the bell tower, drum tower, and side rooms on both sides have deteriorated significantly due to years of neglect.

During the Republican era, Wu Yingfu founded the “Chongben Primary School” here. After liberation, it became “Can Shi Elementary School,” then transformed into “Gangshang Middle School” before the Cultural Revolution. It was shut down in 1990 and now serves once again as the ancestral temple of the Wu clan.

The Wu Family Ancestral Hall was initially built during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era. Historical records indicate a major renovation took place during the Qing Dynasty. The current third section was rebuilt in the fifth year of the Republic of China (1916), while most other parts of the structure date from the Qing Dynasty or contain Qing-era components.

The Wu Family Ancestral Hall follows an east-west longitudinal axis (oriented at 355 degrees) and has a rectangular layout (longer from east to west, shorter from north to south). Covering 2,400 square meters (with a built-up area of 1,538 square meters), it presents a grand and majestic appearance. The main structure uses a post-and-lintel timber frame, and the exterior walls are made of grayish-blue bricks.

In front of the Wu Family Ancestral Hall lies a small rectangular plaza, with newly restored wooden gate towers on both the north and south sides. People typically enter through the southern side.

The first section’s gate tower is a combination of stone and wood, featuring a brick-made eight-character gate wall with gray bricks smoothly laid around stone pillars. On either side of the main gate are red stone-carved drums. At the center of the wooden gate tower hangs a plaque inscribed with “Wu Family Ancestral Hall,” giving off an impressive aura. Upon entering, there is a large central courtyard, flanked by wing rooms on both sides, with clan storage rooms located to the south of the wings (i.e., adjacent to the main gate).

The second section is “Cuihuan Hall,” consisting of 13 bays and 15 columns, built with a post-and-lintel structure. It is a freestanding wooden building used for clan meetings and as lodging for guests.

The second and third sections are connected by a central courtyard, with a bell tower and a drum tower on either side (both have suffered considerable damage).

The third section, “Chongben Hall,” is solemn and dignified, featuring five bays and 13 columns, also a freestanding wooden structure. It serves as the temple where the Wu clan villagers of Can Shi Village worship their ancestors, with ancestral tablets placed in the center. The left and right sides of “Chongben Hall” function as dining areas.

The Chongben School is located on the eastern side of Wu Family Natural Village in Can Shi Village, Gangshang Town, Nanchang County, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province. It sits to the north of the Wu Family Ancestral Hall, faces east, and covers an area of over 1,000 square meters. It is a single-story wooden structure. The school consists of one principal’s office, one teachers’ office, and two classroom buildings (a front and back row totaling eight rooms). It was initiated through donations led by Wu Yingfu and constructed in the 24th year of the Republic of China (1935), completed in the 26th year (1937). After liberation, the government nationalized it and renamed it “Can Shi Elementary School.” Before the Cultural Revolution, “Gangshang Middle School” moved to the neighboring Wu Family Ancestral Hall to operate, merging the two into a single campus. In 1990, after “Gangshang Middle School” relocated, the site was returned to the Wu family.

The Chongben School serves as evidence for the study of privately-run education.

On January 10, 2005, the Nanchang County People’s Government listed the Wu Family Ancestral Hall as part of the fourth batch of Nanchang County Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

On March 26, 2006, the Nanchang Municipal People’s Government listed the Wu Family Ancestral Hall as part of the third batch of Nanchang City Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

On May 7, 2010, the Nanchang County People’s Government collectively listed the Wu Family Ancestral Hall and Chongben School as cultural heritage protection units.

Source: Nanchang County Museum

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units