Grand Hall of Zhuge Village, Lanxi, Zhejiang

Zhuge Village Grand Hall is located in the center of Zhuge Bagua Village. It is the only remaining Zhuge Liang Memorial Hall in the Jiangnan region. The Grand Hall was first built in the Ming Dynasty. It faces south and is in front of the Zhongchi Pond. Its architectural style is simple and elegant, and it is magnificent and well preserved. The scale and shape of the existing Grand Hall are the result of expansion and renovation over many generations. In 1940, the Grand Hall fell into disrepair, so materials were purchased and craftsmen were hired. After two years, the renovation of the Grand Hall was completed. During the Cultural Revolution, the Grand Hall lost the maintenance and protection it deserved and was used as a cowshed by the production team. By the 1980s, the fourth and fifth courtyards had seriously collapsed. In 1990, a council for rebuilding the Grand Hall was formed, and all villagers, regardless of their surnames, donated enthusiastically. After two years of construction and a cost of RMB 140,000, the Grand Hall was completely renovated and regained its former glory. The architectural structure of the Grand Hall consists of five courtyards and three bays, with a construction area of ​​700 square meters. Its architectural features include a gate archway, a central hip roof, a ridge about 10 meters high, brackets under the eaves, black columns and red lintels, and multiple floors. It is the most gorgeous and eye-catching building in the village in appearance. The Grand Hall is not only a memorial hall for Zhuge Liang, but also hosts important activities of the Zhuge family. Grand ancestor worship ceremonies are held here on the 14th day of the fourth lunar month and the 28th day of the eighth lunar month every year. Inside the Grand Hall are displayed Zhuge Liang’s spirit tablet and portrait, as well as the Zhuge clan’s direct lineage table, historical documents such as "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" and "The Admonitions to My Son". The walls are painted with murals depicting Zhuge Liang's life, such as Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, Debate with Scholars, and Borrowing Arrows from Straw Boats, which vividly reproduce Zhuge Liang's historical image. National key cultural relic protection unit.