Former Site of the Gongji Company

Former Site of the Gongji Company

The former site of the Gongji Company is a cultural relic protection unit of Lianyungang City.

Former Site of the Gongji Company (1908)

The former site of the Gongji Company is located at Dong'erwei in Guanxi Salt Field, Guanyn County, Lianyungang City. In the 34th year of the Guangxu reign (1908), salt merchants built the Jinan Salt Field in Yangqiao Town, Haizhou, aiming to supplement the insufficient salt production from Huainan. The Jinan Salt Field oversaw seven companies: Dade, Dafu, Gongji, Dayoujin, Dayuan, Qingrixin, and Yutong. The Gongji Company was established by salt merchants from Huainan, including Lu Fei Songgai, Zhou Fujiu, Xiao Yunpu, and Bi Ruchen. The company laid out 192 salt pans and also constructed a storage yard and a wooden pier at Yanwei Port. The former site of the Gongji Salt Company served as the office space where salt merchants audited salt quantities, and the location was referred to as "Gongji Erwei".

The former site of the Gongji Company faces south and has an overall square layout. The west side houses auxiliary rooms, the east side contains two separate three-courtyard compounds, and the center features a four-courtyard compound in a "日" (sun) shape. The architectural complex covers an area of approximately 500 square meters, with over 30 rooms. From the south, one can directly access the rear courtyard or enter other courtyards. The middle section consists of wooden structures with floor-to-ceiling doors and windows, all adorned with intricate bas-relief or openwork carvings featuring vivid depictions of auspicious beasts and flowers and birds. The rear section includes a two-story building with wooden corridors and staircases, and in the northeast corner stands a uniquely designed two-story building commonly referred to by locals as the "Sea-Viewing Tower." The site exhibits characteristics of Jiangnan residential architecture and Huizhou-style buildings: uniform gray bricks and small tiles, with buildings arranged in a staggered fashion at varying heights. All gates feature bluestone frames with finely carved symbols such as the Bagua for warding off evil, placed atop them. The surrounding walls are tall and solid. Each courtyard has a distinct style yet remains interconnected, offering ever-changing scenery as you walk through. The rear courtyard is flanked by delicate corridors, combining the serenity of a winding path with secluded elegance and an air of solemn dignity.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units in Lianyungang City