Xianshui Ma Family Official Hall

Xianshui Ma Family Official Hall

The Xianshui Ma Family Official Hall is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Hunan Province.

The Ma Family Official Hall was constructed in the mid-Qing Dynasty by the 33rd-generation descendants of Ma Yin, King of Chu from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, who served as officials of the eighth rank—Xiu Zhi Lang and Ru Lin Lang. It was mainly used to accommodate passing officials and as a residence for the family. With over 200 years of history, the hall was built along the slope of the terrain and consists of seven terraced platforms. Centered on the main hall, there are side halls and main wings, totaling 15 official halls of various sizes, comprising 330 rooms in all. There are 24 courtyards spread throughout the structure. The total floor area exceeds 2,450 square meters. The interior is richly decorated with eaves, window designs, hanging railings, and stone carvings, featuring vivid depictions of landscapes, figures, flowers, and birds. The entire architectural complex is rigorously planned, solemn in appearance, and fully formed in its layout, making it the largest “official hall” discovered to date in southern Hunan.

In 2019, the Xianshui Ma Family Official Hall was included in the tenth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units in Hunan Province.

Zhangshu Town: A township under the jurisdiction of Yongxing County. In 1950, it was part of Jin’an Township and Dongkou Township; in 1958, it was incorporated into the Bolin Commune; in 1960, it was split off to form the Zhangshu Commune; in 1966, it was renamed Qianjin Commune; in 1980, it reverted to the name Zhangshu Commune; and in 1984, it was re-designated as a township. Located in the northern part of the county, it is 30 kilometers from the county seat, covering an area of 97.5 square kilometers with a population of 31,000. The township government is stationed under the Zhangshu Tree. It has road access. The township administers 17 village committees: Tanquan, Cao Zifang, Yangjia, Tian’etang, Bianchong, Hutang, Xianshuiqiao, Shangying, Tiantang, Zhangshu, Shiqiao, Dalin, Jiejiang, Tengtou, Shutou, Tingtou, and Xiaopu... More detailed information about Zhangshu Town ++

Further Reading:

· Tenth Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Hunan Province

· Fourth Batch of Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Chenzhou City