aeeble

The Chen family is scattered throughout Kinmen and is the largest clan in Kinmen, with a large population, known as "Thirteen Chens." The main ancestral temple of the Chen family in Houpu, Yingchuan Hall, is the main temple of the "Thirteen Chens" in Kinmen, with the lantern inscription "Prince Tutor." Yingchuan Hall was first proposed to be built in the 26th year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1900), and construction began in the 30th year of the Guangxu period (1904). In the 63rd year of the Republic of China, it was renovated, and in the 86th year of the Republic of China, a four-column, three-bay stone archway was built at the entrance of the ancestral temple by Chen Chongguang. The stone and carving work were all imported from the mainland. The pattern and carving are delicate. In addition, the stone pavement in front of the ancestral temple was donated and laid by the general secretary of the clan association, making the entire ancestral temple more magnificent and grand. The Chen family's main ancestral temple is a traditional wooden building, with a two-tiered, nine-beam, three-bay structure. The main wall is built with brick masonry and flat stone masonry. The front door pillars and the interior of the building are inscribed with couplets. The roof is covered with green tile. The stone carvings mainly use Quanzhou white stone and blue stone. The wooden parts have openwork carvings and colored paintings. Among them, the gold-leafed couplets on the golden pillars were completed in the second year of the Xuantong period of the Qing Dynasty (1910), which is considered the best in Kinmen. In addition, the Chen family clan members had 13 Jinshi (imperial examination degree holders) during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and their plaques are all hung in the Zhongxian Temple, which is a distinctive feature.