A grand ceremony graces the ancestral hall, ancestral virtues glorify the clan, and profound cultural heritage endures through millennia!

On August 8, 2026, the First Nankang Yu Clan Outstanding Students Commendation Ceremony was grandly held at the Yu Clan Ancestral Hall in Nankang Hexie City. Inheriting the millennium-old Xiapu cultural tradition of valuing education and scholars, clansmen of the Yu Clan gathered at the ancestral hall to celebrate students’ academic achievements, honor their youthful talents, and carry on the clan’s enduring scholarly spirit.

The ceremony proceeded in a solemn, respectful, and warm atmosphere. Award-winning students attended with their parents, joining members of the Nankang Yu Clan Council to worship ancestors and reflect on ancestral virtues. The students took turns introducing themselves and taking solemn oaths to pursue diligent study and lofty aspirations, fully embodying the gratitude, perseverance, and positive outlook of the younger Yu Clan generation.

A prominent honor roll and celebratory banners adorned the ancestral hall, presenting dignified clan recognition for outstanding young talents. A total of 14 outstanding undergraduate students were honored, including 8 male and 6 female students — among them 3 admitted to prestigious Project 211 universities and 11 outstanding undergraduates. The clan presented scholarships and honorary certificates to each awardee, celebrating youthful achievements with ancestral glory and encouraging future generations to study diligently and strive relentlessly.

The age-old tradition of prioritizing education and virtue has been cherished and passed down for generations. Through tangible actions, the clan continues to nurture a strong scholarly culture and uphold the ancestral mission of talent cultivation. May the Nankang Yu Clan continuously produce outstanding talents, carry forward its fine heritage, and inspire younger generations to forge ahead and bring lasting glory to the clan.

Q&A: The Unique Architectural Features of the Yu Clan Ancestral Hall in Nankang Hexie City

Many clansmen have questioned why the Yu Clan Ancestral Hall in Nankang Hexie City does not feature the traditional layout of classic Hakka ancestral halls, such as upper and lower halls, north–south side halls, and central courtyards. The distinction lies in different architectural positioning and functional layouts, while the ancestral origin remains unchanged.

Hexie City hosts 108 standardized ancestral halls for different surnames, all built according to unified urban planning. Arranged in orderly rows along the hillside, every ancestral hall shares identical standardized dimensions for width and depth. Due to fixed and limited spatial specifications, it is not feasible to construct the traditional two-entry large-scale Hakka ancestral hall layout with independent courtyards and side rooms.

Functionally, the Hexie City Yu Clan Hall serves as a clan cultural and memorial hall. Designed primarily for enshrining ancestral tablets, displaying clan culture, and facilitating ancestral worship and root-seeking activities, it adopts a simple single-hall structural style.

In comparison, ancient rural Yu Clan ancestral halls in Nankang are independent, complete traditional ancestral buildings. Strictly following authentic Hakka architectural principles, they are equipped with central courtyards, front and rear halls, and auxiliary side rooms, fulfilling traditional functions including ventilation, lighting, drainage, and ritual arrangements, representing classic Hakka ancestral architecture.

Core distinctions are clarified as follows: The Hexie City Yu Clan Hall is a single-unit memorial building without courtyards, side halls, or multi-entry layouts; rural ancient Yu Clan halls are well-preserved traditional two-entry Hakka ancestral halls with complete classical architectural layouts. Most public resources fail to differentiate these two types, causing widespread confusion among readers and clansmen.

Clan Origin: Genealogy of the Main Nankang Yu Clan Branch

The dominant Yu Clan branch in Nankang consists of descendants of Master Zhiming, belonging to the renowned Xiapu Hall lineage, with a long-standing genealogy and prosperous clan inheritance.

The founding ancestor of this lineage is Yu Jing (Lord Zhongxiang). Seven generations after Yu Jing came Yu Yiguan. As the eldest son of Yu Chonggui and a distinguished scholar during the Chunxi reign of the Southern Song Dynasty, Yu Yiguan settled in Yudong, Changle, Huizhou (present-day Wuhua County, Guangdong Province), establishing the original Yudong Yu Clan settlement.

Seven generations after Yu Yiguan emerged Master Zhiming, the 14th-generation descendant of Yu Jing. His descendants later migrated southward to the Ganxi region and eventually settled in Nankang. Over generations of multiplication and development, they formed the core Yu Clan settlement centered in Hongxing Village, Jingba Town and surrounding areas.

The ancestral birthplace and core cradle of the Nankang Yu Clan is located at Shangyuwu and Duanshangyuwu in Hongxing Village, Jingba Town, Nankang District. This well-preserved ancient ancestral hall adopts the standard two-entry Hakka structure with a complete central courtyard, front and rear halls, and side rooms. Additionally, another Yu Clan ancestral hall is situated in Luokeng, Tandong, carrying forward the same ancestral heritage and traditions.

Ancestral virtues endure through centuries, and scholarly traditions nurture endless new talents. May the Nankang Yu Clan thrive generation after generation, with outstanding successors emerging continuously to carry forward the timeless clan heritage.