The Zhou Clan Ancestral Hall of Changxi

　　Address: Zhoubangtou Village, Changxi Township, She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province

　　This ancestral hall was first built in the 10th year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Emperor Xiaozong. The main building covers an area of 747.12 square meters. From groundbreaking to completion, it took five years. The architecture exemplifies the classic style of Huizhou-style ancient buildings from the Ming Dynasty—featuring a simple layout that is rustic and solemn, along with exquisitely detailed carvings that are intricate and refined, fully showcasing the distinctive characteristics of Huizhou architecture. The roof ridge is topped with specially crafted carved bricks, featuring thirteen pairs of translucent qilin (mythical creatures) standing opposite each other, with upturned horns on both sides pointing directly to the sky, giving an impression of richness and solemnity. The outer walls are constructed entirely from double-layered “369” type blue bricks, making them extremely sturdy. The lower parts of all four walls are inlaid with bluestone bases, providing excellent waterproofing.

　　The entire ancestral hall is divided into five main sections: the fence shed, the red steps, the main hall, the rear hall, and the shrine chamber, representing a quintessential example of the “three courtyards with two open halls” layout. The site selection of the ancestral hall shows remarkable ingenuity: it faces south with its back against the Lailong Mountain, surrounded by lush green pines and cypresses; its front entrance borders the Changyuan River, with rippling green waves and murmuring streams. In front of the hall are two large open plazas that can accommodate a thousand people, all paved with pebbles. A main thoroughfare runs through the plazas, extending upstream to Changxi and Shitan, and downstream to Shendu and the county town, bustling with people and adding vibrancy to the ancestral hall. Hanging above the main gate are plaques inscribed with titles such as “Zhou Clan Ancestral Hall,” “Imperially Appointed Magistrate,” “Imperial Grant for Jinshi Degree,” and “Four Generations of Second-Rank Officials.” Upon entering the Zhou Clan Ancestral Hall, the first thing that catches the eye is the 108.16-square-meter courtyard, flanked by spacious and bright corridors. Ten black “Yixian Blue” square stone pillars surround the space, evoking a sense of antiquity and dignity. Looking up at the main hall, one can see the large plaque inscribed with “Liushun Hall.” The Zhou clan has long valued both farming and scholarship. Over the four hundred-plus years from the Ming Yongle era to the end of the Qing Dynasty, the clan produced four jinshi (successful imperial examination candidates), nineteen juren (provincial examination graduates), twenty-three gongyuan (tribute students), and seventy-four xiucai (county-level examination graduates). Plaques hanging from the beams on either side of the main hall, inscribed with titles such as “Jinshi,” “Wenkuai” (literary excellence), “Shaotingwei” (junior judicial officer), and “Ministry of Personnel Minister,” showcase the distinguished honors achieved by the Zhou family. The Zhou Clan Ancestral Hall is now a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit.