The Governor-General's Office of the Three Eastern Provinces

Governor-General's Office of the Three Eastern Provinces

The Governor-General's Office of the Three Eastern Provinces is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

The Governor-General's Office of the Three Eastern Provinces is situated between the Imperial Palace and the Marshal’s Mansion, at the intersection of Beitiantian Street and Shengjing Road. In the vast city of Shengjing (old Shenyang), it was the most prominent building after the Imperial Palace and was renowned throughout the Three Eastern Provinces. The exterior of the building features blue brick walls, while the interior is constructed with a traditional king post timber frame. The materials used are of high quality, and the ornamental carvings are exquisitely crafted, making it a typical European-style building. It is one of the most historically significant structures in Shenyang. The entire building is shaped like a concave character “凹,” and there are stone lions and mounting stones in front of the entrance. From late Qing officials to several successive governors of the Three Eastern Provinces, and then to the Fengtian warlord Zhang family (Father and son), this site served as the office for official duties.

The Governor-General's Office of the Three Eastern Provinces has a construction area of over 2,600 square meters and is divided into two floors. The exterior is built with blue brick walls, and the interior features a traditional king post timber frame. The materials used are of high quality, and the ornamental carvings are exquisitely crafted, making it a typical European-style building. The office was first built in the early Qing Dynasty. After the Qing army entered Shanhaiguan in 1644, the building became the office of the Government of the Rehe Capital (also known as the Secondary Capital Government). In 1747, it served as the location of the Shengjing General’s Office, the highest military and political authority at the time. In 1928, after Zhang Xueliang led the Northeast in “changing the flag” (pledging allegiance to the Republic of China), the building was renamed the Governor-General's Office of the Three Eastern Provinces.

Over 300 years of weathering have left the building in a precarious state. Since the property management unit withdrew in 1988, the building has remained vacant. It represents the architectural style of its time and holds significant historical value. However, due to many years of disuse, the structure is severely damaged and urgently requires renovation and preservation.

In 2014, it was designated as part of the ninth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units by the People’s Government of Liaoning Province.