Ancestral Hall of Yang Family in Binchuan County, Dali
The Ancestral Hall of the Yang Family (杨氏宗祠, Yángshì Zōngcí) is a historical and cultural treasure located in Pangu Village (盘谷村, Pángǔ Cūn), Pingchuan Town (平川镇, Píngchuān Zhèn), approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Binchuan County (宾川县, Bīngchuān), Dali (大理, Dàlǐ). Nestled between the majestic Baibao Mountain (百宝山, Bǎibǎo Shān) and the Binchuan Plain (宾川坝, Bīngchuān Bà), this ancestral hall is a significant site for both cultural heritage and architectural beauty.
Overview
- Name: Ancestral Hall of the Yang Family (杨氏宗祠, Yángshì Zōngcí)
- Location: Pangu Village, Pingchuan Town, Binchuan County, Dali
- Area: 1380 m²
- Cultural Heritage: Provincial-level cultural relic in Yunnan
Architectural Structure
The Ancestral Hall of the Yang Family features a traditional courtyard design typical of Chinese ancestral halls, constructed using earth and wood materials. The hall covers a total area of 1380 square meters, with a building area of approximately 837 square meters. The layout consists of two main courtyards:
Front Yard
- Components: Includes a decorative screen wall (照壁, zhàobì), the main entrance (宗祠大门, zōngcí dàmén), a kitchen (厨房, chúfáng), and a utility room (杂物房, záwù fáng).
Back Yard
- Components: Comprises a hallway (过厅, guò tīng), east and west wings (东西厢房, dōngxī xiāngfáng), and the main hall (祠堂, cítáng).
The architectural style reflects local Bai characteristics, with the east and west wings containing seven two-story rooms, featuring a total width of 36.8 meters and a depth of 4.1 meters. The second floor employs square beams for structural support and is paved with blue bricks, a pioneering approach in the Dali region that offers moisture resistance and fire protection.
The prominent screen wall measures 22 meters in length and 12 meters in height, adorned with three large round openings shaped like the character “品” (pǐn), which is a unique feature. The layout and craftsmanship of the structure exhibit elegance and practicality, with local green stone paving the ground and an efficient drainage system ensuring dryness during rain.
The courtyard also hosts two centennial trees: an iron tree (铁树, tiě shù) and a fragrant osmanthus (丹桂, dān guì), which serve as historical markers of the hall’s heritage.
Historical Value
The Yang Family Ancestral Hall is renowned for preserving inscriptions by notable figures from the Republic of China period, including:
- Political Figures:
- Lin Sen (林森, Lín Sēn)
- Chiang Kai-shek (蒋中正, Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng)
- Yu Youren (于右任, Yú Yòurèn)
- Tan Yankai (潭延闿, Tán Yánkāi)
- Hu Hanmin (胡汉民, Hú Hànmín)
- Zheng Xiaoxu (郑孝胥, Zhèng Xiàoxū)
- Zhu Peide (朱培德, Zhū Péidé)
- Gu Zhenglun (谷正伦, Gǔ Zhènglún)
- Ren Kezheng (任可澄, Rèn Kězhèng)
- Scholars and Calligraphers:
- Cai Yuanpei (蔡元培, Cài Yuánpéi)
- Zhang Taiyan (章太炎, Zhāng Tàiyán)
- Zhou Zhongyue (周钟岳, Zhōu Zhōngyuè)
- Li Genyuan (李根源, Lǐ Gēnyuán)
- Yuan Jiagu (袁嘉谷, Yuán Jiāgǔ)
- Calligraphers:
- Tan Zekai (谭泽闿, Tán Zékǎi)
- Chen Rongchang (陈荣昌, Chén Róngchāng)
- Wu Shaolin (吴绍璘, Wú Shàolín)
These inscriptions, totaling over 80 poems, plaques, couplets, prefaces, and epitaphs, encompass various scripts, including Seal Script (隶书, lìshū), Regular Script (楷书, kǎishū), and Running Script (行书, xíngshū). They also represent multiple ethnic languages, such as Han (汉, Hàn), Manchu (满, Mǎn), Mongolian (蒙, Méng), Hui (回, Huí), and Tibetan (藏, Zàng).
Despite numerous political upheavals, these artifacts have been preserved, leading to the Yang Family Ancestral Hall being recognized as the site with the largest collection of well-preserved inscriptions from notable figures of the Republic of China in Yunnan. In December 2003, it was designated a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the Yunnan Provincial People’s Government.
Established by Yang Ruxuan (杨如轩, Yáng Rúxuān), a major general in the Republic of China, the hall stands as a testament to the lives and achievements of many elites from the era. It was constructed as part of a series of projects to honor Yang Ruxuan’s mother on her 100th birthday. Establishing such a memorial required approval from the central government, which allowed the centenarian archway to honor her longevity and Yang Ruxuan’s military accomplishments.
Features of the Ancestral Hall
- Hundred-Year Pavilion (百岁亭, Bǎisuì Tíng): Located in front of the main hall, this octagonal pavilion features a pointed roof supported by eight stone pillars. It is about 4 meters tall and showcases exquisite lion carvings on the base. The central pillar bears an inscription by Yuan Jiagu commemorating the pavilion, along with additional inscriptions from various notable figures.
- Inscriptions: Central to the hall is a plaque inscribed with “神州人瑞” (Shénzhōu Rénruì) by Cai Yuanpei and “福寿明昭” (Fúshòu Míngzhāo) by Zhang Taiyan. To the west stands a memorial stone inscribed by Yu Youren, while the east side features a song dedicated to Yang’s mother by the renowned calligrapher Chen Rongchang.
How to Get There
By Car
From Dali, take the G320 National Highway northeast toward Binchuan County. Follow the signs to Pingchuan Town and Pangu Village. The journey takes about an hour, and there is parking available near the hall.
By Public Transport
Buses from Dali to Binchuan County run regularly. From Binchuan, you can take a local taxi or rideshare service to Pangu Village.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer mild weather and beautiful scenery.
- Local Cuisine: Explore local Bai cuisine at nearby restaurants. Try traditional dishes such as “crossing-the-bridge noodles” (过桥米线, guòqiáo mǐxiàn) and grilled fish.
- Photography: The intricate architecture and surrounding nature provide ample opportunities for stunning photography, so be sure to bring a camera.
- Respect Cultural Heritage: As a site of cultural significance, please respect the artifacts and maintain silence while exploring the hall.
- Guided Tours: Consider hiring a local guide to gain deeper insights into the history and significance of the Ancestral Hall and its features.
