Former Site of Dalian Municipal Government Office

Former Site of Dalian Municipal Government Office

The former site of the Dalian Municipal Government Office is a Dalian municipal cultural heritage protection unit.

The former site of the Dalian Municipal Government Office is located at No. 5 Zhongshan Square, Zhongshan District. On June 28, 2013, it was included in the fifth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Dalian.

During the Japanese occupation, it was the Dalian Municipal Government Office. After the abolition of the Dalian Civil Affairs Bureau in 1937, the Dalian Municipal Government Office became a secondary administrative body under Japanese rule in Dalian. From 1947 to 1950, the Dalian (People's) Government (a secondary administrative organ) was based here. It later served as the office building for various bureaus of the Dalian Municipal Government. It is now the Dalian Branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

This eclectic-style building is situated between Jiefang Street and Luxun Road. The main entrance incorporates elements inspired by the Japanese 'kara-hafu' (undulating gable), while the tower draws inspiration from the yamaboko floats used in Kyoto’s Gion Festival. The architect was Shigemitsu Matsushitsu, successor to Maeda Matsuyuki, who was the head of the Civil Engineering Section of the Kwantung Governor-General’s Office and the designer of the Dalian Civil Affairs Bureau. Shigemitsu had significant achievements in the restoration of ancient buildings such as Kyoto temples, and the design of this structure reflects his expertise in that field. Between 1947 and 1950, it was used by the Dalian Municipal People’s Government and later became the office building of the Dalian Municipal Government (at the time, Dalian City and Lüshun City were equal administrative units under the prefecture-level Lüda City). It is now the Dalian Branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Protected area: The protected area includes the exterior base of the building’s walls, extending 1 meter south, reaching Luxun Road to the east, Jiefang Street to the west, and Zhongshan Square to the north.

Construction control zone: A Zone IV construction control area extends 20 meters south of the protected area boundary.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Dalian