Chi Clan Ancestral Hall

Chi Clan Ancestral Hall

The Chi Clan Ancestral Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

• A place where the Han people worship their ancestors or sages, it is an iconic building in Heshun Ancient Town and also a symbol of the Chi clan in Tengchong.

Attraction Introduction

Also known as the Chi Family Ancestral Hall, it is located in Heshun Ancient Town, Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, adjacent to the east side of the main gate at Dashi Lane Foot. Covering an area of 2,222 square meters, it faces south toward the north, nestled against the mountain and facing the plain, built in terraces that rise in an orderly fashion, grand in scale. It stands out among the ancestral halls of Heshun for being the earliest-built, having the most “Western-style” main gate, the most “impressive” pillar marker, the widest terrace, and an abundance of plaques and couplets.

The Chi Clan Ancestral Hall is an iconic building in Heshun Ancient Town, a symbol of the Chi clan in Tengchong, and also the oldest and earliest-built among the eight major ancestral halls of Heshun.

The main gate of the Chi Clan Ancestral Hall is notably distinctive. While other ancestral hall gates feature traditional upturned eaves, bracket sets, and tile-wood structures, the Chi Clan gate breaks the mold both in materials and design, showcasing a typical South Asian style that is distinctly Westernized. It forms a classic fusion of Chinese and foreign elements. Having withstood over 70 years of history, it has become a symbol of the charming Heshun overseas Chinese hometown. Its exquisite carving craftsmanship and timeless artistic value fully demonstrate the exceptional talent and artistic creativity of the ancient Han laboring people.

On the left and right sides of the upper terrace outside the main gate stand two towering stone pillar markers, each over two zhang high (approximately six meters), which were ancient flagpoles. Compared to those of other ancestral halls, these are strikingly different. Most notably, while other pillars have only one square capital, the Chi Clan’s pillar features two stacked square capitals. There’s historical significance behind this: in the rigidly hierarchical feudal era, strict regulations prohibited overstepping one’s rank. However, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Chi family produced not only 223 scholars (both civil and military) who attained scholarly honors, but also 4 juren (successful candidates in the imperial examinations at the provincial level), and in the year of Yimai during the Guangxu reign, Chi Kaipai became a jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). According to the law, this entitled them to erect two capitals, a privilege no other ancestral hall enjoyed. As a result, the double-capital pillar of the Chi Clan Ancestral Hall became the most “impressive.”

Outside the main gate, there are upper and lower terraces, both enclosed with stone railings and paved with stone slabs. Especially notable is the lower terrace, which is semi-circular and located right next to the road leading into the village. Spanning several hundred square meters, it is exceptionally spacious—ranking first among the eight ancestral halls and arguably the most “spacious.” Recalling childhood days attending school at Heshun Central Primary School, when school assemblies were held, all teachers and students would gather on just one side of the lower terrace, showing just how large it is.

Address: Within Heshun Town, Tengchong County, Baoshan City

Type: Historical Architecture / Ancestral Hall

Recommended Visiting Time: Suggested 0.5–1 hour

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the 80 RMB Heshun Ancient Town scenic area ticket.

Transportation

[External Transportation]

1. It is 4 km from Tengchong County to Heshun, with minibuses providing direct service at 3 RMB per person.

2. Take bus route 6 from the county to reach the ancient town directly, at 1 RMB per ride.

3. Taking a taxi from Tengchong County to Heshun Ancient Town costs around 15 RMB.

[Internal Transportation within the Scenic Area]

Accessible on foot within the ancient town.