Rongxiang Modern Architectural Complex

Rongxiang Modern Architectural Complex

The Rongxiang Modern Architectural Complex is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangsu Province.

Rongxiang is located in the northern part of Binhu District, Wuxi City. To the east, it borders Qingshan West Road, Lixi Road, and the boundary with Helie Subdistrict; to the south, it neighbors Lixi River and Lvyuan Subdistrict; to the west, it adjoins Qinglong Mountain and the areas of Lvyuan and Qianqiao Subdistrict in Huishan District; and to the north, it is bounded by Huishan Mountain, connecting with Shanbei Subdistrict in Beitang District and Qianqiao Subdistrict in Huishan District. It covers an area of 22.3 square kilometers, with a population of about 60,000. This old alley is deeply marked by the footprints left by pioneers of China’s national industry.

In the early Ming Dynasty, Rong Qing, the founding ancestor of the Rong family in Wuxi, moved to the city and settled on the north bank of the lower reaches of the Lixi River. He led his descendants to clear wasteland, build river embankments, and construct homes, gradually transforming the area into a livable place with flat fields, neat houses, crisscrossing paths, as well as grain fields, fish ponds, mulberry trees, and bamboo groves. The three natural villages of Upper Rong, Middle Rong, and Lower Rong were initially established.

In the 24th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1685), the Rong family of Lixi built the Rong Family Ancestral Hall and compiled the first genealogy, indicating a significant increase in the family’s population. As more family members engaged in business outside, those who returned with earnings naturally built more houses. Gradually, the three natural villages merged into one, giving rise to the name “Rongxiang,” which also gained some local fame in the western part of the county.

In the Qing Dynasty, the Rong family’s commodity economy developed to a certain extent. Some family members ventured to Jing and Xiang regions for trade and became wealthy, even “the wealthiest in the region,” participating in local affairs and beginning to expand outward. By the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, the Rong family’s economic activities mainly revolved around farming, weaving, fishing, boating, and commerce. Between 1860 and 1863, due to battles between the Taiping Army and Qing forces, much of Rongxiang was burned down, and the population was reduced by more than half. Many Rong family members fled to Shanghai and other places to escape the war, where they began engaging in businesses such as cotton, iron, money shops, and maritime transport. They became wealthy through these ventures, which also spurred the local economic development of Rongxiang. The natural economy of Rongxiang was gradually replaced by a commodity economy. Male laborers went out to develop businesses, while women managed farming and sericulture at home. At the same time, homes were rebuilt from the ruins, featuring grand houses and multi-story buildings that gradually shifted from purely functional designs to more ornamental styles.

Around the year 1900, some members of the Rong family became compradors for foreign firms, introducing Western culture into Rongxiang. Rong Guangda Flower Company was one of the four largest flower trading companies in the country at the time and even had an export office in Japan. Represented by Rong Zongjin and Rong Zongquan, some Rong family members established and developed national industries and commerce. They also promoted education and related service industries, developed Kaiyuan Road, and built facilities such as an electric light company, library, and post office. The small Rongxiang Street had nearly a hundred shops, becoming a commercial hub for the surrounding dozens of miles and driving the rapid construction of various types of buildings.

In the early years of the Republic of China (1912), Rongxiang was officially established as a town, belonging to the Fourth District of Wuxi County. In the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928), Rongxiang was incorporated into Kaiyuan Township. In 1978, Rongxiang Town was merged into Hele Commune (later renamed Hele Township and then Hele Town), with urban residents falling under the administration of Rongxiang Subdistrict.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Heritage Sites Protected at the Provincial Level in Jiangsu Province