Dianchun Hall

Dianchun Hall

Dianchun Hall was built in the early years of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty and is located within Yu Garden. Its name is derived from the line “Emerald dots the spring’s charm” by Su Shi. It is a five-bay hall structure. During the Small Swords Society Uprising, this served as the northern command post of the rebel forces, where one of the leaders, Chen Alin, issued orders and directed military operations. The hall currently houses a large painting titled “Viewing the Sword” by Ren Bonian, a renowned painter of the late Qing Dynasty, as well as a couplet written by calligrapher Shen Yinmo that reads: “Courage and ink fill the vast expanse; the heart’s essence preserves pure refinement.” These works celebrate the heroic spirit and lofty ideals of the Small Swords Society rebels. In addition, the hall displays relics such as weapons used by the insurgents, locally minted coins, and proclamations issued during the uprising.