The Modern Architectural Complex on Boxian Road

The Modern Architectural Complex on Boxian Road

The Modern Architectural Complex on Boxian Road is a cultural heritage site protected by the Zhenjiang Municipal Government.

The Modern Architectural Complex on Boxian Road is mainly located on the west side of Boxian Road to the area around Jingjiling. Most of the buildings were constructed during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty to the early Republican period. After the Second Opium War, in the eighth year of the Xianfeng reign (1858), the Qing government was forced to sign the Treaty of Tianjin, opening ten treaty ports including Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Jiujiang, and Hankou. In the eleventh year of Xianfeng (1861), a concession was established at the foot of Yuntai Mountain, in the areas of Zhenping Mountain, Yingjiang Road, and along the riverbank, where British, American, and Japanese consulates were built, leading to the emergence of numerous Western-style buildings. Later, some Western-style imitations and Sino-Western hybrid buildings also appeared, as well as those in traditional Chinese classical ethnic styles.

The Modern Architectural Complex on Boxian Road was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Zhenjiang Municipal Government in 1992. Major structures include:

Site of the Former Jinshan Hotel: Located at No. 27 Boxian Road, this is a two-story Western-style building with four bays. It is constructed with blue bricks, decorated with red brick trim and patterns, and features a hip-and-gable roof. Each bay facing the street has arched doorways and windows. Built in the late Qing and early Republican period, the Ningbo Native Place Association once had its offices here.

Site of the Former Jiangnan Hotel: Located at No. 29 Boxian Road, built in 1927. Originally the residence of Tu Jiahua, head of the Postal Acceptance Office for Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui under the Nationalist Government. It has four bays, with the middle two being four stories high and the sides three stories. Constructed with stacked blue bricks and a flat tile roof, the side entrance features a stone plaque inscribed with the word “Shortcut” (捷径) by Yu Youren, a veteran of the Nationalist Party. The third floor facing the street has a cantilevered balcony enclosed by iron railings, representing a Sino-Western hybrid architectural style. There is a garden behind the building.

Site of the Former Jiang Huairén Clinic: Located at No. 35 Boxian Road. Built in the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign (1907), it was the earliest private Western medical clinic in Zhenjiang. This three-story building is built against the mountain and features a mixed structure of brick, wood, and stone, predominantly red bricks, with over 40 rooms. The central part of the building protrudes with a gate tower, all adorned with carved floral column capitals, giving it a magnificent appearance. The interior is highly decorative, reflecting imitation European classical architectural forms. It is said that Chiang Kai-shek and his son Chiang Ching-kuo stayed here when they visited Zhenjiang.

Site of the Former Zhenjiang Chamber of Commerce: Located at No. 73 Boxian Road, originally the site of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, the current building was completed in 1929. It consists of two courtyards with over 70 rooms, covering an area of 1,891 square meters, and features a stone plaque inscribed with “Zhenjiang Chamber of Commerce” (镇江商会) written by Yu Youren. The entire structure combines Chinese and Western architectural elements. The original chamber of commerce was first built during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty in Dalongwang Lane, initially named the Zhenjiang Commercial Affairs Office. Later, as Zhenjiang developed into a major commercial port, it was renamed the Zhenjiang Chamber of Commerce. In the past, Zhenjiang benefited from its location along rivers, attracting merchants from all over. There were over 400 merchant houses alone near the West Gate, with businessmen from 11 provinces establishing guildhalls and more than 20 trades setting up guilds, with the Chamber of Commerce at the forefront, playing a significant role in developing commerce, promoting trade, and founding social welfare initiatives.

Site of the Former Guangzhao Guildhall: Located at No. 82 Boxian Road, facing west. It includes over 20 rooms such as halls, main rooms, side rooms, and wing rooms, covering nearly 600 square meters, with high walls and deep courtyards. The stone horizontal plaque above the front gate is inscribed with the words “Guangzhao Guildhall” (广肇公所), written by Chen (?), former Governor of Sichuan. The main gate is equipped with a screen wall featuring exquisite carvings, including the Three Stars of Blessing, Prosperity, and Longevity, as well as traditional motifs such as fishing, woodcutting, farming, reading, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, reflecting a classic traditional Chinese architectural style. The inner hall faces west, is 3 bays (12 meters) wide and 3 bays (9 meters) deep, with eave columns 4.5 meters high. On the south side of the front hall is a stone wall tablet titled “Record of the Guangzhao Guildhall,” describing its origins and reconstruction history. The main hall has been destroyed, but the rest remains.

The name “Guangzhao Guildhall” comes from the fact that it was jointly built by merchants from Guangzhou and Zhaoqing residing in Zhenjiang, serving as a gathering and business negotiation place for merchants from these two prefectures. The original site was next to the Grain Transport River, and the current location was rebuilt in the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign (1907) under the direction of Zhuo Yitang. In the early years of the Republic of China, after Sun Yat-sen resigned as provisional president, he passed through Zhenjiang on his way from Shanghai to Nanjing and stayed overnight at the guildhall, where he met with people from various sectors and delivered speeches.

Site of the Former Jiangsu Branch of the Red Swastika Society: Located on Jingjiling, it is a local charitable institution. Built in 1923 and later expanded, the overall structure is a Sino-Western hybrid building with 52 rooms, divided into two sections: the eastern section is a traditional Chinese building with a polished brick gate and two corridor-style floors totaling 32 rooms; the western section is a four-story Western-style building with spiral stairs. The top also features a two-story wooden octagonal pavilion with a pyramidal roof. Established in 1934 and managed by prominent figures from the Chamber of Commerce, it is a charitable institution that worships deities from Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other religions.

Site of the Former Municipal Council of the “British Concession”: Located at No. 209 Changjiang Road, the Municipal Council was the highest administrative body managing the concession. It is a three-story brick-and-wood building with a rectangular concave shape, 22 meters long and 11 meters wide, sharing the same architectural style as the British Consulate.

In addition to the aforementioned modern buildings, there are also structures such as the Inland Mission Church, Baptist Church, former site of the Xinhua Daily News office, the old Zhenjiang Post and Telecommunications Bureau, Dingfu Temple, and the Jia Mansion.