Ancestral Temples

Dunben Ancestral Hall

The Ancestral Temples in Huangshan City are the holy hall where ancestors of a clansman are sacrificed and also a sacred palace where living people can communicate with their ancestors spiritually. In the past, people of the same clan usually lived together by surrounding their ancestral temples. It is compared to a delicate artwork and also a precious cultural relic from which we can see the history and development of a family.

In the past, the Ancestral Temple is the gathering place where clansmen discussed their important family issues. Its wide space allowed family members to hold weddings, funerals and other significant ceremonies. It serves as a tie to connect every member of a clan to develop cohesion among themselves. Regulations were formulated and written into stemmas or carved on stones standing in the temple. Anyone whose behavior violated these regulations would be punished in it and in front of the clans.

The Ancestral Temples, together with memorial arches and ancient residential houses are called 'Three Wonders of Ancient Architecture in Huizhou'. Decorations and carvings in them are various and exquisite, reflecting the wonderful artwork in the earlier times. Among the countless ancestral temples in Huizhou, the Ancestral Temple of Wu's is regarded as the greatest.

Dunben Hall of the Bao Family

Wangkou Ancestral Temple

Wu's Ancestral Temple - Typical among All Ancetral Temples in Shexian

Located in the center of Bei'an Village in Shexian County, Wu's Ancestral Temple was rebuilt in 1826, famous for its large scale and fine wooden carvings, with its back to the north and the front faces the south. Entering the gate, you may be captured by the fragrance of woods. The two most unique wooden carvings are amazing. One described the impressive natural beauty of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Another depicted one hundred deer with different postures in woods. The delicate lines and lively gestures highly reflect the workmen's professional craftsmanship.
 1. Take regular buses to Shexian County from Huangshan (Tunxi), and then just hire a taxi or van to Bei'an Village, for the Wu's Ancestral Temple.
2. Take a bullet train from Huangshan North Railway Station to Shexian North and then hire a taxi to the temple.
 

Entrance Fee for Bei'an Scenic Area:

CNY 25 (Including Wu's Ancestral Temple as well as the Wind Rain Corridor Bridges in southwest)