云来邝公祠

Gazing upon the Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall, imagine the grandeur it once held. Known locally as the “Xuancheng Hall,” the Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall stands as a testament to the Zhao family’s legacy. Built during the early Ming Dynasty in Guangzhou’s Baiyun District, Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall’s original structure was a marvel of ancient architecture. Its elegant design and imposing presence commanded respect. Inside, the Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall boasted ornate decorations and exquisite carvings, reflecting the family’s high status. The surrounding walls displayed rows of ancestral tablets. The entrance, adorned with beautiful banners and flagpoles, drew the admiration of nearby ancestral halls. This earned it the title of the most magnificent hall in the northern part of Zengcheng County. Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall housed the “Dan Mo Liu Fang” memorial archway, another point of pride for the Zhao clan. Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall also contained a memorial archway dedicated to the virtuous deeds of Xianzhen Gong. Xianzhen Gong, a scholar during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, served as the Minister of Rites. He was known for his mastery of calligraphy, law, and his unassuming character. Impressed by his demeanor, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang bestowed upon Xianzhen Gong the inscription “Dan Mo Liu Fang.” This inscription graced the archway within Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall. The main hall at Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall measures 10 meters wide, showcasing the classic Ming Dynasty architectural style. The inscription “Dan Mo Liu Fang” also adorns the main hall. The side halls bear the inscriptions “Chu Di” (departing brothers) and “Ru Xiao” (entering filial piety). The roof displays the characters “Feng Chuan” (phoenix boat). The rear hall of Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall displays the inscription “Xuancheng Jia Di” (Xuancheng’s First Family). The side halls feature inscriptions “Li Men” (Rite Gate) and “Yi Lu” (Righteous Path). The roof carries the characters “Yun Ji” (cloud gathering). Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall, with its 700-year history, is a rare and precious cultural heritage site for the Zhao family worldwide. Over the centuries, weather damage and human activity took their toll, leaving the hall in a state of disrepair. In 2006, thanks to generous donations from various individuals and the support of government cultural agencies, Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall underwent extensive restoration. The “Dan Mo Liu Fang” archway was also restored to its original splendor. In 2008, Yun Lai Zhao Ancestral Hall was designated as a protected cultural relic of Guangzhou.