Heshun Ancestral Hall of Liu Family in Tengchong County, Baoshan

Heshun Ancestral Hall of Liu Family (和顺刘氏宗祠) is located between Shuiduai Village (水碓村) and Yinjia Slope (尹家坡) in Heshun Town (和顺镇), Tengchong County (腾冲县), Baoshan (保山市), Yunnan Province. The hall was originally built in the 5th year of the Xianfeng Era (1855) during the Qing Dynasty. The structure follows the traditional siheyuan (四合院) layout and covers an area of 3,139 square meters. The primary building is constructed from volcanic stone, and it houses an ancient stele from the Qianlong Era (乾隆年间) inscribed with the phrase "Eternal Exemption from Grain Tax" and memorial stones dedicated to the legendary figures Liu Bang (刘邦), Liu Xiu (刘秀), and Liu Bei (刘备), among others.

In the Guangxu Era (光绪年间), the hall was used as the Yunxiang Pavilion (芸香馆) school. In the mid-20th century, it was repurposed for various manufacturing purposes, including a weaving factory and a cigarette production facility. In 2012, it was officially designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by Yunnan Province. Today, the hall is part of the core cultural tourism attractions of Heshun Ancient Town (和顺古镇), along with the Ai Siqi Former Residence (艾思奇故居).

Historical Background

• Construction History: Initially, the Liu family planned to build the hall in Yinjia Slope (尹家坡) during the Jiaqing Era (嘉庆年间), but due to site limitations, they relocated the construction. In 1855, the family purchased the land for the current site and construction began that autumn. In 1880, the hall underwent repairs due to damage caused by war, and evidence of these repairs is found in the inscriptions on the beams. In 1920, the front hall was expanded, and additional features such as a moon platform (月台) and an arched bridge (拱桥) were added.

Architectural Features

• Layout: The hall faces southwest and northeast, with the structure laid out along the central axis. The main entrance is a paifang (牌楼) style gate, followed by a central hall and two wings. The walls are constructed from volcanic stone, while the weight-bearing system is built from wood. On both sides of the moon platform, Qing stone monuments (青石华表) stand, with a double-arch bridge crossing a lotus pond.

• Main Hall: The central hall houses the largest ancestral shrine in the country, with intricate wood carvings depicting traditional themes such as the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea (八仙过海).

Cultural Relics

The hall is home to three important steles:

1. A Qianlong Era (乾隆年间) stele from 1790, which contains an official notice regarding "Eternal Exemption from Grain Tax" and prayers for the family's prosperity.

2. Memorial steles dedicated to three emperors, Liu Bang (刘邦), Liu Xiu (刘秀), and Liu Bei (刘备), inscribed with their ancestral teachings.

3. A repair inscription from the 6th year of the Guangxu Era (光绪六年), documenting the reconstruction of the hall.

Additionally, the hall's garden is adorned with traditional plants known as the Four Noble Plants (梅兰竹菊), symbolizing the aesthetic tastes of Confucian scholars.

Historical Functions

• During the Guangxu Era (光绪年间), Yin Zizhang (尹子章), a scholar, opened the Yunxiang Pavilion (芸香馆) school here, which operated for seven years.

• After the Xinhai Revolution (辛亥革命), it became a branch of Heshun Primary School (和顺小学).

• In the mid-20th century, Liu Yuxuan (刘玉铉) and his brothers used the hall as a weaving factory, and later, it became a cigarette production plant and other small industrial operations.

• In the early 21st century, it briefly served as an exhibition space for jade products.

Preservation Efforts

• In January 2012, the Liu Family Ancestral Hall was officially listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site. It is part of the traditional residential building group in Heshun Ancient Town (和顺古镇) and has been preserved to maintain its historical authenticity. The building remains about 85% intact, with its wooden beams, carvings, and inscriptions preserved in their original form.

• In 2024, the village of Shuiduai (水碓村) and the ancestral hall were awarded the title of "Yunnan Province Gold Medal Tourist Village" (云南省金牌旅游村), attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.

Visitor Information

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (open year-round).

• Admission: Entrance is included in the Heshun Ancient Town (和顺古镇) ticket, priced at ¥55 for a 7-day pass.

• Transportation: Visitors can walk or take a sightseeing bus (one-way fare ¥10) within the ancient town. It is recommended to visit Liu Family Ancestral Hall along with nearby attractions like Wild Duck Lake (野鸭湖).

Related Attractions

• Ai Siqi Former Residence (艾思奇故居): The birthplace of the famous philosopher Ai Siqi (艾思奇), located nearby.

• Cultural Experience: The Ancestral Hall also hosts cultural exhibitions related to traditional Liu family heritage and hosts surname plaque activities for visitors interested in tracing their ancestry.