Ancestral Temple of the Renowned Yu Family

Ancestral Temple of the Renowned Yu Family

The Ancestral Temple of the Renowned Yu Family is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Guangdong Province.

The Ancestral Temple of the Renowned Yu Family in Chenghai is located in Yongxin Village, Lianshang Town, Chenghai District, Shantou City. It was renovated in the 47th year of the Qianlong reign (1782) and has a history of 437 years. Yongxin Village is the main settlement of the Yu clan in the Chaoshan region, with over 90% of the village's population being members of the Yu family.

As early as 1367, at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Yu Zhongwei, a Hanlin academician in the imperial court from Chaozhou, sensed the changing times and political turmoil. He arranged for his seven sons—Xiang, Shang, Jiong, Shang (also referred to as Shang), Yi, Jiong, and Tong—to leave Chaozhou city and settle in Chenghai to avoid warfare. The Yu brothers arrived at Zhongyang She in Lianyang and established Yongping Village (renamed Yongxin in 1951). At that time, the area was a sandy coastal plain where the Han River met the sea, characterized by silt accumulation and awaiting development. Later, Xiang, Shang, Jiong, and Tong successively moved to Waisha, Chaozhou, and other parts of the province. However, all seven brothers recognized their father, Yu Zhongwei, as the founding ancestor of the Yu clan in Yongxin.

Yu Zhongwei came from an official family; his eighth-generation ancestor was Yu Jing, a renowned statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty. The main hall of the Yu Ancestral Temple, known as “Yongsi Hall,” is essentially a memorial hall for Yu Jing. The shrine enshrines a portrait of Yu Jing and the memorial tablets of generations of the Yu ancestors. Yu Jing (1000–1064), from Qujiang, Shaoguan, had a father, Yu Qing, who once served as the magistrate of Haifeng County, indicating the long-standing connection between the Yu family and the Chaoshan region. Yu Jing passed the imperial examination in the second year of the Tian Sheng era during the Northern Song Dynasty and served alongside Ouyang Xiu, Wang Su, and Cai Xiang as an imperial censor, collectively known as the Four Great Critics of the Northern Song. He repeatedly proposed policies such as reducing taxes, dismissing corrupt officials, and understanding the people’s conditions—most of which were adopted by Emperor Renzong of Song. Yu Jing once joined forces with Di Qing to successfully quell the rebellion of Nong Zhigao on the frontier, earning great merit. From 1044 onward, he undertook three diplomatic missions to the Khitan (Liao Dynasty) and led troops to repel seven military provocations by the Western Xia against the Song Dynasty. He skillfully used diplomacy to manage the Khitan king, safeguarding Song interests amid the complex triangular relationship among the Song, Liao, and Xia. Yu Jing was highly learned and proficient in the Khitan language. He once composed a drinking poem in Khitan script to entertain the Khitan king, which drew criticism from Song censors for allegedly damaging the dignity of the state, leading to his demotion. However, he was soon reinstated and highly valued by Emperor Yingzong of Song, rising to the position of Minister of Works. He died of illness at the age of 65 while en route to take office. Emperor Yingzong posthumously honored him as Minister of Justice and granted him the title “Duke Who Founded the State of Xingying,” along with the posthumous name “Xiang” (Assistance), respectfully referred to as “Loyal Assistance” with the honorific “Fengcai” (Elegant Demeanor). To this day, the naming of Fengcai Gate and Fengcai Street in Yongxin Village originates from this.

The words “Renowned” prefixed to the name of the Yu Ancestral Temple highlight the commemoration of the esteemed Yu Jing. The ancestral hall faces northwest and is situated southeast, covering an area of 1,168 square meters, with a width of 19.8 meters and a depth of 36.3 meters. It features a five-bay layout in a “Four-Point Gold with Courtyard” configuration, divided into two sections: the entrance gate building and the main hall, both with flush gable roofs. On the stone kylin (qilin) screen wall in front of the ancestral hall is engraved a couplet gifted by Cai Xiang: “The legacy of Duke Xiang flows endlessly, inheriting the virtue of the Xi era; the Yu lineage’s origins surge forth, beginning with the Xijiang River.” This reflects the deep camaraderie between Yu Jing and Cai Xiang. On the right side of the front courtyard are six flagpole bases inscribed respectively with “Duke Who Founded the State of Xingying,” “Minister of Justice,” “Minister of Works” (all titles held by Yu Jing), “Prefect of Chaozhou Prefecture” (Shi Ying), “Household Registrar of Chaozhou” (Si Guang), and “Hanlin Academician” (Zhong Wei of the Yuan Dynasty). During the annual Winter Solstice ancestor worship ceremony, the “Fengcai Liufang” (Elegant Demeanor Leaves a Lasting Fragrance) banner is raised here.

The plaque above the main gate, inscribed “Ancestral Temple of the Renowned Yu Family,” was written by Lin Dachun, a Jinshan scholar of the Ming Dynasty. The gate couplet reads: “A second-generation minister inherits the legacy of the household registrar; an academician’s branch dreams of orchids with Ye’s lineage.” This refers to the story of Yu Jing’s death in the Song Dynasty and Shi Guang being granted the title of Prefect of Chaozhou, as well as the tale of Yu Zhongwei’s mother dreaming of orchids on the night before his birth in the Yuan Dynasty. The entire ancestral temple is covered with yellow glazed tiles—an extremely rare feature in Ming-era Chaoshan architecture—designed to match the high-ranking officials being commemorated. Stone pillars in the front corridor of the main hall are engraved with a couplet from Emperor Renzong of Song praising Yu Jing: “Three missions to the Khitan displayed unyielding loyalty; seven victories over the Western Xia achieved extraordinary merit.” This imperial couplet prominently showcases the glory of the Yu lineage. Additionally, there are 20 other couplets that have been preserved since the Ming Dynasty.

The Yu Ancestral Temple houses artistic treasures such as ceramic inlay work, wood carvings, murals, and plaster reliefs. The ridges of the gate tower, main hall, and corridors are adorned with ceramic inlays, mainly featuring small decorative elements such as rockeries, flowers, birds, and auspicious beasts. After more than 400 years of weathering, some of the ceramic pieces have peeled off, revealing the black plaster beneath, giving an ancient and weathered appearance. However, the overall exquisite craftsmanship is still clearly visible.

The brackets of the main hall and gate tower are richly decorated with wood carvings, predominantly featuring large elements such as lions playing with balls, mythical ao fish, and phoenixes, with fewer smaller elements like figures and flowers. These Ming Dynasty wood carvings have not been repainted, appearing somewhat faded, but the inherent charm of the ancient carvings presents an irreplaceable beauty. The eaves and inner walls of the gate tower are covered with murals of varying sizes, depicting figures, flowers, birds, pines, and bamboos. Most are rendered using ink wash techniques with subtle gradations, using very little color—embodying a restrained style akin to classical Chinese literati paintings, best appreciated up close.

Today, the artistic decorations of the Yu Ancestral Temple range from simple and elegant to brightly colorful, showcasing the continuity of folk decorative arts in Chaoshan and their practical application in the preservation and restoration of ancient architecture. The temple has also become a showcase where ancient and modern decorative art masterpieces of Chaoshan are displayed side by side.

Yongxin Village: Introduction to Yongxin Village

Yongxin Village is located in the southern part of Lianshang Town, comprising three natural villages and nine villager groups. National Highway 324 runs east-west through the village, covering a total area of 7.69 square kilometers with a population of 17,093, including 15,501 agricultural residents. Agricultural production includes rice, corn, sweet potatoes, and various vegetables and fruits. Industrial sectors encompass plastics, religious goods (nanzin), printing, papermaking, crafts, hardware, and more. Commerce thrives around market-based activities, with brisk trade in various goods. In terms of cultural development, the village continues to uphold and promote the revolutionary traditions of its forebears... More details about Yongxin Village++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units