SanDiao Museum (Zhou Family Ancestral Hall)

　　   Huizhou has always placed great importance on ancestral halls and sacrificial rites. This is a concrete expression of “showing reverence to one’s ancestors and never forgetting one’s roots.” Located in Jixi, now a provincial-level historical and cultural city that was once part of ancient Huizhou, ancient residences and ancestral halls can be seen everywhere. The Zhou Family Ancestral Hall, a provincial cultural relics protection unit situated at No. 39 Caojiajing in Jixi County, attracts visitors from all over with its unique charm.

　　   The Zhou Family Ancestral Hall was built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty and was expanded and renovated during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. Originally, to the north of the two main halls were the Lianxi Academy, Osmanthus Hall, Rui’erong Ancestral Hall, and Special Sacrificial Hall, while to the south were the Wenchang Pavilion. Due to historical reasons, none of these structures remain today.

　　   The Zhou Family Ancestral Hall consists of seven major parts: the screen wall, gate tower, courtyard, corridors, main hall, another courtyard, and the sleeping quarters. The sleeping quarters have since been converted into a single-story building by later generations. The current building covers an area of 1,156 square meters. The Zhou Family Ancestral Hall is grand in scale and imposing in appearance. The gate tower features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, with a width of seven bays and a depth of two bays.

　　   Upon entering the Zhou Family Ancestral Hall and looking up, one is greeted by the image of a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate carved on the wooden lintel, reflecting the Zhou ancestors’ aspirations for a better life. The next lintel is carved with the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity. Looking down, the low-relief carvings of flowers and birds on the Sumeru pedestal are vivid and unique, making one feel as if immersed in a world of flora and fauna. On both sides of the ceremonial gate stand stone drums, with a plaque reading “Zhou Family Ancestral Hall” hanging above. Behind the gate tower is a courtyard, with a central pathway leading to the main hall, flanked by bluestone paving. The corridors are five bays wide and one bay deep. The main hall is five bays wide and four bays deep, with a flush-gable roof, bracket sets extending beyond the eaves, and the use of large, exquisitely crafted materials. Above the central bay hangs a plaque inscribed with “Dao Guo Shi Jia” (The Exemplary House of the Dao State). Every element — from the beam headers, purlin brackets, ridge-supporting beams, to the spandrel brackets — is intricately carved, with simple yet powerful knife work and bold, vigorous lines. The stone balustrades in the middle courtyard are masterpieces of stone carving, depicting scenes such as the phoenix facing the sun, pine and crane symbolizing longevity, azaleas singing to plum blossoms, and peonies representing wealth and honor. Each piece is exquisitely crafted and captivating, leaving visitors lingering in admiration. The rear section of the ancestral hall offers yet another scene: the stone balustrades are finely engraved with vases of diverse designs and vibrantly arranged flower arrangements, reflecting the Zhou ancestors’ longing for a peaceful and flowery life.

　　   The Zhou Family Ancestral Hall, renowned for its wood and stone carvings, is itself a magnificent and exquisite work of art. Based on this structure, the first SanDiao Museum in Anhui Province was established and officially opened to the public in 1997. The SanDiao Museum has collected outstanding examples of brick, wood, and stone carvings from Huizhou folk culture. Here, you can see the bold and vigorous carvings of the Ming Dynasty, the delicate and lifelike works of the Qing Dynasty, and the breathtaking masterpiece of wood carving — the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars. If you have the chance to visit the SanDiao Museum, you are sure to feast your eyes and gain profound insights.

　　   In May 1998, the Zhou Family Ancestral Hall was designated as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit by the Anhui Provincial Government.