The Cai Zhonghui Ancestral Hall, also known as the Cai Xiang Temple, is located on the south side of Luoyang Bridge Street, built in memory of Cai Xiang’s achievements. Since its establishment in the Northern Song Dynasty, the temple has undergone repairs throughout the dynasties. The existing Cai Zhonghui Ancestral Hall is a Qing Dynasty architectural masterpiece, facing south with a three-bay and three-deep hall structure.
The first section is the main entrance, with a plaque at the top reading ‘Ancestral Hall of Song Prefect Cai Zhonghui’. Above the entrance porch, stone pillars bear a couplet written by Huang Yi, the son of Huang Zonghan, a late Qing dynasty minister and governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, which translates to: ‘Building a bridge that ages with the universe, leaving a pen that startles ghosts and gods. ‘ In the central hall, there used to be a statue of Cai Zhonghui, holding a writing brush high in his right hand, with paper spread on the table, as if he is about to write. The statue is elegant and solemn, capturing the essence of a literary figure and a distinguished official of his time. In front of it stands the world-renowned ‘Wan’an Bridge Record’ stone tablet, with one copy being a replica, and both are praised for their ‘three excellences’ in writing, calligraphy, and carving, standing on either side. Other inscriptions are arranged on both sides of the corridor. In total, the Cai Zhonghui Ancestral Hall houses 11 stone tablets of various sizes.
