In Chinese culture and society, hometown or ancestral home (Chinese: 籍貫；祖籍；老家) is the place of origin of one's extended family. It may or may not be the place where one is born. The Chinese emphasis on a person's ancestral home is a legacy of its history as an agrarian society, where a family would often be tied to its land for generations. In Chinese culture, the importance of family and regional identity are such that a person's ancestral home or birthplace plays an important social role in personal identity. For instance, at a university, students who hail from the same region will often become members of the regional/hometown society or club for other people with the same background. Discussion of personal or ancestral origins is typical when two people meet for the first time. In recent years, the root-seeking (尋根) movement has led to greater interest in ancestral hometowns, especially among overseas Chinese. The temple was oriented in the village according to principles of feng shui to ensure a harmonious relationship with the landscape and was constructed according to local building traditions and customs. Coins were placed under structural columns to bring prosperity to the village inhabitants. The temple have intricately carved lattice windows that look out onto a big central courtyard. These details tell as much about the aspirations, identity, and creative expression as they do about the architectural heritage of the region.
