Former Site of Xijin Park

Former Site of Xijin Park

The former site of Xijin Park is a cultural heritage conservation unit of Jiangsu Province.

The former site of Xijin Park is located in downtown Wuxi. It was formerly known as Wuxi Park, commonly called Gonghuayuan (Public Garden), and is now named Chengzhong Park (City Center Park). Its grounds include the ruins of the temporary palace built by King Huai of Chu, Huang Xie, at Baishui Pond, the residence of Wang Xizhi from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, parts of Chongan Temple and the Taoist temple “Dongxu Palace,” as well as the abandoned site of the Ming Dynasty Sheng Binghe Fangtang Academy. In September of the 31st year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1905), Xijin Park was established and completed the following year. It featured Longgang Hill, Guiyun Valley, as well as pavilions such as Liaoe and Tiangui, and relocated Xiuyi Peak to the park. It is one of the earliest modern urban parks in China. In 1910, Duoshou Tower was built; in 1920, Chishang Caotang was constructed along with the newly engraved "Forty-Two Chapters Sutra" by Huaisu; the following year, Xishe was built, and in 1921, Lanyi was added; in 1927, Songya White Pagoda was erected; in 1930, Tonggeng Hall was built; and in 1933, Jiulao Pavilion was constructed. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Wuxi municipal government carried out multiple renovations of the park. In January 1994, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage conservation unit by the Wuxi Municipal People’s Government under the name “Former Site of Xijin Park.” Between 1996 and 1998, an additional 50 million yuan was allocated to expand and improve the park's green space in three phases, protect its historic buildings, and increase the park's area to 50 mu. In 2006, it was announced as a cultural heritage conservation unit of Jiangsu Province by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Heritage Conservation Units of Jiangsu Province