China: Xidi Ancient Village – Inside Halls & Mansions

There are many old mansions and ancestral halls that are open for tourists – all preserving amazing carved stone and wood elaborate decorations. All of them were built primarily by wealthy merchants and prominent imperial officials from the Hu clan. In Huizhou culture, ancestral shrines served as the ultimate centers of political and spiritual life for a clan. Among the most famous ancestral halls are Jungfu Hall from 1664, Jungai Hall from 1600, and Zhuimi Hall from 1794. All halls feature grand open interiors, replete with elaborately carved wood columns and windows. Similarly lavish are the interiors of many of the merchants.