The Five Ancestral Halls of the Chen Clan in Waihai

　　The town of Waihai has a predominantly Chen surname population. Since the tenth year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1350), the ancestors of the Chen clan migrated to and settled in Waihai, and it has been over 600 years since then. The Chen family has flourished over generations, producing many talented individuals throughout history. The alternate name of Waihai, “Longxi,” was also named by the Chen family to commemorate their refuge in the deep mountains of Longxi, Zhangzhou, Fujian.

　　In the past, ancestral halls were scattered all over Waihai, but the most magnificent among them were the “Five Ancestral Halls of the Chen Clan in Waihai.” Located at the foot of Chini Mountain in the eastern part of Waihai, the locals often refer to them as the “East End Ancestral Halls.”

　　The Five Ancestral Halls of the Chen Clan serve as the ancestral shrines for the Chen clan of Waihai. They were first built during the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. The five halls are closely connected, standing in a row, creating an imposing sight. The Ancestral Hall of the Founding Ancestor, Chen Xinyin, a Scholar-Official of the Imperial Court, is situated at the foot of Chini Mountain, with the Quanshi Ancestral Hall and the Yunxuan Ancestral Hall on its right, and the Taixi Ancestral Hall and the Dingsi Ancestral Hall on its left.

　　The ancestral complex covers an area of about 4,100 square meters, with three halls built side by side. It features a single-eave roof covered with grey tiles, accented with blue-glazed tile trimming. The structure combines the post-and-lintel and through-tenon beam frameworks, retaining distinct architectural characteristics of the Qing Dynasty. The complex is grand in scale, majestic in appearance, rigorously laid out, and intricately detailed in structure. With the Ancestral Hall of Chen Xinyin as the central axis, the layout is symmetrical on both sides. Stone archways stand densely inside and outside the halls, and massive pillars are adorned with long couplets commemorating the virtues of the ancestors. The halls are elaborately carved and painted, exquisitely decorated, all reflecting the refined complexity and artistic style of Qing Dynasty architecture.

　　During the Cultural Revolution, the Five Ancestral Halls suffered damage. Fortunately, their overall architectural style was largely preserved. In 2000, the municipal government designated them as a municipal-level cultural heritage site. In April 2002, the district government entrusted the management and use of the Five Ancestral Halls to the Waihai Town government. To protect the cultural relics and transform the Five Ancestral Halls into a cultural venue and tourist attraction, the Waihai Town Party Committee and Town Government carried out multiple renovations to gradually restore their original appearance. The newly renovated square in front of the Five Ancestral Halls has now become a popular leisure spot for the people of Waihai.