Gao Panlong Memorial Hall

Gao Panlong Memorial Hall

The Gao Panlong Memorial Hall is located near the site of the Ke Tower, where Gao Panlong lived in seclusion and studied—within Jincheng Bay. Surrounding the memorial hall is Shuiju Garden, which integrates two major cultural zones—ancient and modern. The garden features structures such as the Five Ke Towers, a gypsum statue of Gao Panlong, a stele corridor of Gao’s paintings and calligraphy, a cultural wall depicting Gao’s life, a memorial monument to Gao, Yuepo Terrace, Jingyi Pavilion, Yuncong Pavilion, and the Gao Fengshui Pavilion among over ten other landscape nodes. Together, they make Shuiju Garden a new cultural landmark at Li Lake.

The Gao Panlong Memorial Hall is housed within the Five Ke Towers. The exhibits include Gao Panlong’s poetry, couplets, and other works, as well as precious artifacts. Gao Panlong (1562–1626) was from Wuxi. A renowned politician, thinker, and scholar of the Ming Dynasty, he became a Jinshi (advanced scholar) during the Wanli era and eventually rose to the position of Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. He was demoted after submitting a memorial impeaching a corrupt official and resigned from office. Alongside Gu Xiancheng, he rebuilt the Donglin Academy to promote Neo-Confucian teachings, gathered students for lectures, critiqued politics, advocated for reforms, and together they were regarded as leaders of the Donglin School, known at the time as “Gu-Gao.” During his years in retirement, Gao Panlong lived in seclusion at Keyuchi by Li Lake, where he built the “Ke Tower” and spent 27 years cultivating his character, studying, and writing.

Gao Panlong embodied a patriotic spirit of “taking the world as one’s responsibility.” He advocated for an academic ethos that emphasized “learning through practice,” “applying knowledge to real-world issues,” and “caring for people’s livelihoods.” He valued moral cultivation and ethical conduct above all else, upheld the principles of “integrity and self-discipline, serving the people as an official,” and demonstrated a courageous integrity that “feared no power and dared to uphold justice.” He not only served as a role model for scholars of his time but also set an example for future generations. As a highly influential figure from Wuxi, visitors to this site can gain insight into Gao Panlong’s political philosophy, cultural achievements, and the noble character of a great scholar.

Gao Panlong (1562–1626) was a literary figure and statesman of the Ming Dynasty. His courtesy names were Cunzhi and Yuncong, and his art name was Jingyi. He was from Wuxi (present-day Jiangsu Province). In the 17th year of the Wanli reign (1589), he passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an Imperial Courier. For criticizing the emperor for secluding himself in the inner palace, he was demoted to the post of a low-ranking magistrate in Jieyang County. Later, due to the death of a close family member, he returned home and remained unemployed for 30 years. During this time, he lectured alongside Gu Xiancheng at the Donglin Academy in their hometown, criticized the powerful eunuch faction, and commented on state affairs, exerting considerable influence. They were referred to as the Donglin Party at the time, with Gao Panlong as one of the leading figures. In the first year of the Tianqi reign (1621), he was summoned back to the capital and appointed as Assistant Director of the Bureau of Palace Provisions, later promoted to Vice Minister. Later, due to... [Detailed information about Gao Panlong++]