The Longchuan Hu-Family Ancestral Hall resides in Dakengkou
Village, 12 kilometers east of Jixi County in Anhui Province.
The ancestral hall was built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and was
extensively renovated between 1522 and 1566 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Hence, the hall has many distinct features of Ming architecture.
Sitting in the north and facing south, the hall covers an area of 1,146
square meters. There are seven constructions in three rows, all built on a brick
and wooden structure. The hall is magnificent in appearance. Built in the front
row is a tall, arched gate with a double-eaved gable and hip roof. Behind it is
a corridor encircled with 12 square, stone columns. The central hall is located
in the middle row of constructions with 14 round columns 166 centimeters in
diameter and 21 large and small girders. Built in the back row is a two-storied
sleeping hall. The girders and columns in the ancestral hall are all engraved
with various patterns of superb craftsmanship, including human figures, birds,
beasts, insects and fish. The hall, reputed as the art palace of wooden
carvings, is a precious legacy to Anhui School of architecture.