Early buildings of Tilanqiao Prison

Early buildings of Tilanqiao Prison

The early buildings of Tilanqiao Prison are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Tilanqiao Prison, located at No. 117 Huade Road (now No. 147 Changyang Road) along the Huangpu River in Shanghai, is a complex consisting of over ten buildings, covering an area of about 4 hectares with a construction area of 40,000 square meters. It is the oldest prison in China that is still in use today.

Tilanqiao Prison was first built in 1901, put into use in May 1903, and underwent continuous expansions and renovations until 1935 when it reached its current scale, which it has retained ever since. Owing to its solid construction and large scale, Tilanqiao Prison was once known as the “Number One Prison in the Far East.”

Starting from October 1954, Tilanqiao Prison began opening to foreign visitors and was among the first prisons in New China to be opened to the public. It has received more than 600 delegations from over 80 countries around the world, totaling over 6,000 visitors. The phrase “Nan Qiao Bei Qin” refers to Tilanqiao Prison and Qinchen Prison—both are renowned for detaining high-ranking officials and celebrities.

In 2013, the early buildings of Tilanqiao Prison were designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council. Due to occupying valuable land, after 110 years since admitting its first prisoner, the prison will be closed. The original site will be preserved and developed.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) announced the early buildings of Tilanqiao Prison as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units