Jiude Hall in Shen’ao Village, Tonglu, Zhejiang

Built by Shen Tu Richun in the eighth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1888), Jiude Hall faces west and covers an area of 430 square meters. It is a two-story, four-sided courtyard house with a cobblestone wall and wooden structure, featuring a double-sloped, hard-mountain roof and a three-room, two-hall, two-entrance layout. The first entrance has four pillars and seven purlins, with a flagstone-paved courtyard and two-story side wings with two pillars, three purlins, and double-sloped, hard-mountain roofs. The third entrance has five pillars and ten purlins. The building boasts exquisite wood carvings. A five-room, two-wing, three-sided annex is built against the south wall of the main building, with its main entrance located on the south wall behind the courtyard. The courtyard is paved with flagstones, and the two-story side wings have three pillars, seven purlins, and double-sloped, hard-mountain roofs. The five-room building has two pillars and five purlins, with the rear eaves resting against the wall. Currently, Jiude Hall has been transformed into the "Hospitable Jiangnan Seasonal Experience Center." Half of the center showcases the seasonal culture of Jiangnan, while the other half offers a seasonal banquet experience. Visitors can sample the dishes displayed, including those traditionally prepared by every household during specific festivals. Jiude Hall is a historical building in Tonglu County.