Wang Family Ancestral Hall in Tiefo Town, Zizhong

The Wang Family Ancestral Hall was built in the 12th year of Jiaqing Emperor's reign (1807) (some literature records it as 1819). Facing south with a north orientation, it features a courtyard layout consisting of a mountain gate, main hall, opera stage, left and right halls, east and west wing rooms, and a bluestone courtyard. Mountain Gate: A six-pillar, five-bay, four-story gate structure with a dragon and phoenix tablet at the top inscribed with "Wang Family Ancestral Hall." The sides are carved with the "Eight Immortals." The entire gate is adorned with carvings depicting opera scenes, Twenty-four Filial Piety stories, and hundreds of figures, flowers, birds, and animals, all vividly portrayed. Main Hall: A brick and wood structure, with its most striking feature being the ridge decoration. Two opposing porcelain dragons, approximately 0.3m in diameter, flank a hexagonal pagoda inlaid with blue and white porcelain. The pagoda's base resembles a lotus flower, featuring an exquisite and magnificent design. The interior walls are covered with large-character slogans such as "Education must face the world, face the future, face the four modernizations" and "Strengthen the people and enrich the nation." From 1957 to 1997, the ancestral hall was converted into Bailong Village Primary School, and these slogans serve as evidence of its time as a school. Opera Stage: Upon entering through the door, there's an entrance hall with an opera tower above and an aisle below. The opera tower features a raised-beam wooden structure that remains well-preserved. The wooden stage rails were originally decorated with carvings of figures, qilin, phoenixes, deer, horses, treasure vases, and flowers, though only some patterns remain today. According to legend, the Wang Family Ancestral Hall was built when the Hakka Wang clan migrated to Sichuan to start their business. The ancestral hall previously contained shrines and ancestral tablets, but is now empty. Two coffins were glimpsed in one of the rooms - likely prepared for the elderly, as per the rural custom of preparing empty coffins for senior family members. Generally closed to the public, but villagers living opposite can arrange paid access. Address: Bailong Village, Tiefo Town, Zizhong County. Continue about 900m past the Bailong Village Committee office along the main road. The building's architectural style stands out distinctly from other village houses and is prominently visible in the valley. The road is narrow, with space for only one vehicle to park.