Longyou Residential Garden, Zhejiang: Gaogang Qifeng

"Gaogang Qifeng," meaning "Rising Phoenix on a High Hill," derives its name from its location on a high ridge, backed by Fenghuang Mountain. Originally situated in Gaoshanding Village, Hengshan Town, Longyou County, this structure served as the ancestral hall of the Zhang clan. Known for their harmony, the Zhang family lived together for nine generations without dividing their property, earning the hall the name "Dunmutang" (Hall of Harmony). According to the Zhang family genealogy, "Gaogang Qifeng" was first built in the late Yuan Dynasty and underwent major renovations during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty. Initially comprising three halls, the third hall collapsed and could not be restored, leaving the first and second halls with an area of 342 square meters. The gatehouse of the building features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof structure, exuding grandeur and featuring intricate wood carvings of dragons and phoenixes, full of vitality. Constructed with large timbers, the building showcases a typical beam-lifting style. The beam frame lacks corbel components, and the beam ends are drum-shaped, placed horizontally on top of the golden pillars and melon pillars, a unique feature among Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings in Longyou County. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in Zhejiang Province.