The Li Ancestral Hall of Dagang Village

The Li Ancestral Hall of Dagang Village

The Li Ancestral Hall of Dagang Village is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Guangdong Province.

The Li Ancestral Hall of Dagang Village is located in Dagang Village, Shanggang Village Committee, Nanfeng Town. Its exact construction date is unknown, but based on its architectural style, it is characteristic of the Qing Dynasty.

The ancestral hall follows a three-courtyard quadrangle layout, facing southeast and situated to the northwest. It spans three rows, with the central row consisting of three bays across three sections, flanked by two Qingyun alleys. The total width is 20.8 meters, and the total depth is 32.62 meters. The site covers an area of 1,192.26 square meters. The ancestral hall has an enclosed square, with its main gate facing a screen wall in the square. On both sides of the square stand 4 pairs and 5 pairs of flagpole stands, respectively. In front of the hall is a gateway building in the style of a memorial archway, featuring a hip-and-gable roof. It is structured as six pillars, three gates, and one story, combining wood and stone, with the upper story adorned with lotus-petal base wooden brackets. A wooden plaque inscribed with "Li Clan Ancestral Hall" hangs above the main gate. On either side of the front hall are side rooms, with a five-rafter beam structure. The central section of the ancestral hall is three bays wide, built with brick and wood, featuring a dragon boat-style ridge and gable walls with pot-shaped ears. It is 9.39 meters wide and 32.62 meters deep, with three sections arranged in a progressively ascending layout. The front bay is one bay deep. The column bases are octagonal granite, carved with hidden Eight Immortals and auspicious animals. The middle bay is three bays deep, with a post-and-lintel beam structure; the column pedestals are carved with scroll patterns, and the columns are made of nanmu wood. The rear bay is three bays deep, also with a post-and-lintel beam structure. The third bay houses a shrine, above which hangs a rectangular wooden plaque inscribed with "Rural Sage." Notably, the eaves board at the front of the front bay is carved with 56 opera figures in various poses. Other eaves boards are finely carved with floral, bird, figure, book, and antique motifs. There are a total of 21 murals throughout the ancestral hall.

The Li Ancestral Hall is the best-preserved Qing Dynasty enclosed residence in Fengkai County. It boasts a unique architectural structure, exquisitely detailed wood carvings, profound painted murals with symbolic meaning, and lifelike stone carving art, making it of high historical, scientific, and artistic value. On January 11, 2011, it was designated as a cultural heritage site protected at the county level in Fengkai County. On December 10, 2015, the Li Ancestral Hall of Dagang Village was approved and announced by the People’s Government of Guangdong Province as part of the eighth batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites. It is the only clan ancestral hall in Fengkai County to receive this honor. (Fengkai Literary Federation)

Shanggang Village: Shanggang Village is located east of Nanfeng Town, adjacent to the urban area. The village has a total population of 3,402, comprising 20 villager groups, 38 Party members, and 5 village cadres. The per capita net income in 2008 was 4,854 yuan. The village has a total of 2,089 mu of arable land, primarily dedicated to farming and animal husbandry. Currently, over 300 mu are planted with sugar oranges, and more than 500 mu are used for winter planting of preserved mustard greens, increasing farmers’ economic income. … More details about Shanggang Village ++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites