Lianminxuan Library

Lianminxuan Library

Lianminxuan, a small Chinese-Western style wooden house located at the southern end of Zhongqiao by the Jing River, now serves as the library of Changjing Town. The name of the building is exquisitely chosen: “Lian” means integrity in public office; “Min” refers to something pure and white as jade. This structure was built by Gu Baolian, a notable member of society. Its name is formed by taking one character from his name and one from that of his wife, Song Zhongmin, making for a perfectly complementary pairing.

The building covers an area of over 350 square meters, featuring two floors, two sections, six rooms, and a corridor; in 2006, an additional 130 square meters were added. Though not large, it is extremely elegant and beautiful.

The beauty of Lianminxuan first lies in its ingenious architectural artistry. The small building is thoughtfully laid out and ingeniously designed, with a quaint garden in front that blooms fragrantly all year round; behind it are layered structures adorned with painted beams and carved rafters; to the side, moon gates provide passage. This building was personally designed by its owner, Mr. Gu, integrating the essence of ancient and modern, Eastern and Western architectural art. It possesses the refined elegance of traditional architecture as well as the openness and brightness of modern buildings. The building was planned before the War of Resistance Against Japan and completed during the time when Japanese invaders were trampling across the south of the Yangtze River. The Gu family was displaced and lived as refugees in a foreign land.

The beauty of Lianminxuan also lies in the charming grace of the Jing River: from the building’s vantage point, you can see the spring waters vast and flowing, the sound of paddles cleaving the water, and fishermen’s songs echoing back and forth. Across the long stretch of the Jing River soar five double-curved arch bridges, like five rainbows lying on the water, especially enchanting in the morning light or evening glow. The building is beautiful, the books are beautiful, and the environment is beautiful. As a result, Lianminxuan continues to welcome distinguished guests who come to inscribe poems and write calligraphy. Visits from dignitaries such as Fei Xiaotong, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress; Du Ke, former Director of the Social and Cultural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Culture; Wang Min, former Vice Governor; and Zhang Fengzhu, State Council Counselor, have added luster to Lianminxuan. Even more touching is the poem by Tao Bai, former leader of Jiangsu Province’s Propaganda Department: “In youth I admired Changjing; in old age I find joy in roaming here; on crisp autumn days, I climb yet another floor,” expressing deep affection for Lianminxuan in the ancient town of Changjing.

The beauty of Lianminxuan further lies in the heartfelt patriotism and love for hometown of its caretaker. Mr. Gu Tiehua, now 75 years old and the eldest son of Gu Baolian, is a German-Chinese national. He is not only the Chairman of Lianzhong Group in Hong Kong—a successful entrepreneur—but also a recipient of the inaugural “Golden Orchid Award” from the Chinese Theatre Association and a distinguished disciple of Kunqu master Yu Zhenfei. In 1988, following his parents’ wishes, he accompanied them along with his family, joyfully returning to their hometown. He donated the family residence to be repurposed as a library for the Changjing Town Government and, together with Xu Haifeng, then Vice Mayor of Jiangyin City, presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Lianminxuan Library. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Gu Tiehua has donated a total of 330,000 yuan to support the library’s book fund.

“A mountain need not be high to be famous if it is home to an immortal; a body of water need not be deep to be spiritual if it houses a dragon.” Lianminxuan does not need to be large—the patriotism and love for hometown embodied by Mr. Tiehua are what truly matter. Today, Lianminxuan Library is renowned throughout China, having made significant contributions to fostering harmony in Changjing and promoting science, education, and the development of the town.

Changjing Town: Formerly known as Dongshuncheng, Changjing is an ancient town in the Jiangnan region, rich in history and blessed with remarkable people and profound cultural heritage. It is one of the birthplaces of Wu culture. Historical evidence indicates it has a history of over 7,000 years, 5,000 years of civilization, and 2,500 years of recorded history. The town spans an area of 54 square kilometers, has a registered population of 56,000, and administers 12 administrative villages and one community residents' committee.

Changjing Town is under the jurisdiction of Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, located at the geometric center of the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou economic zone in the Yangtze River Delta. It borders the Yangtze River to the north and Lake Taihu to the south, enjoying a highly advantageous geographical location. Here, the seasons are distinct... More detailed information about Changjing Town++