Former Site of the British Consulate in Zhenjiang

Former Site of the British Consulate in Zhenjiang

The former site of the British Consulate in Zhenjiang is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former site of the British Consulate in Zhenjiang is located on the 53rd Slope of the ancient Xijin Ferry Street in Zhenjiang City, at the eastern end of Xiaomatou Street. In June 1982, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People's Government of Jiangsu Province, and it now houses the Zhenjiang Museum.

On June 26, 1858, during the Second Opium War, the Qing government signed the Treaty of Tientsin with Britain, designating Jiujiang, Nanjing, and Zhenjiang as treaty ports, and the area around Xiaomatou became a British concession. In 1864, the British began constructing the consulate on Yuntai Mountain. In early 1888, after a British police officer killed a local Chinese, an outraged crowd burned down the consulate and the police station. To appease the aggressors, the Qing government rebuilt the consulate in 1889, and it was completed in 1890. The existing structure is the one rebuilt at that time. The site covers a total area of 17 acres, 6 fen, 1 li, and 2 hao, with five buildings, all of brick-and-wood construction. The tallest is the office building; the northwest building (partially two-story) served as staff dormitories and three horse stables; the two square buildings on the mountainside were residences for the consul and vice-consul. The two-story building at the southeastern foot of the mountain housed dormitories, a dining hall, and recreational facilities. The consulate grounds were enclosed by brick walls and a large iron gate, following the contour of the hill. On the northern side facing the river stood a three-story rectangular building that housed the Municipal Council and the police station. In March 1927, after the Northern Expeditionary Army advanced into Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Britain was compelled to return the concession.

The wall and large iron gate. On the northern side facing the river is a three-story rectangular building, which served as the Municipal Council and Police Station. In March 1927, after the Northern Expeditionary Army reached Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Britain was compelled to return the concession.

In 1957, the Zhenjiang Museum was established here, becoming a venue for national cultural relic collection, scientific archaeological research, and public exhibitions. The museum currently houses over ten thousand historical relics, more than four thousand ancient calligraphy works, paintings, and stone rubbings, as well as over four thousand five hundred revolutionary relics.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units