Hengzhai Ancestral Hall

Hengzhai Ancestral Hall

Hengzhai Ancestral Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

Hengzhai Ancestral Hall is located in the middle section of Liandong Street, Lianrong Neighborhood Committee, Tuolian Subdistrict, Jinping District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province (i.e., southwest behind the ancestral hall of Shengwu). Originally built during the Ming Dynasty, it faces east with a west orientation and features a "twin-back sword" layout consisting of two courtyards, one skywell, and two side lanes, all constructed with earth and wood. The total width is 14.3 meters, the total depth is 18.1 meters, covering a site area of 509.08 square meters with a floor area of 258.83 square meters. Its exterior features a hip-and-gable roof, gable and hip firewalls, plain tile ridges, and three-dimensional figurative sculptures at the roof corners. The main gate follows a symmetrical design along the road, topped with a stone plaque inscribed with “Hengzhai Ancestral Hall” in relief, flanked by colorful wall paintings. Inside, the structure employs a three-wooden-melon, two-tiered beam and column system, with both square and spindle-shaped pillars used in the main hall. The beams are adorned with intricate painted designs and wood carvings. In front of the hall lies an open courtyard measuring 21.4 meters in width and 17.5 meters in depth. It is said that Hengzhai Ancestral Hall has a history of over 300 years and was built by the third branch of the Lin family of Liantang. Before the communalization period—specifically during the decentralization of 1956—it was repurposed to serve national educational needs as the site of Tuoxi Primary School. The hall contributed to educating thousands of talented individuals and played a significant role in the country’s educational development. This building holds considerable historical and artistic value for the study of ancient Chaoshan architecture.