Zhu Dachun’s Former Residence

Zhu Dachun’s Former Residence

Zhu Dachun’s Former Residence is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Zhu Dachun’s Former Residence is located at Nos. 117 to 122, Bodu Port, east of Qingming Bridge, outside the southern city gate of Wuxi. The residence boasts a relatively large scale and features some exquisitely crafted buildings. It is the most completely preserved historical residence of a prominent figure from the Qing Dynasty within Wuxi's Qingming Bridge Historical Block, as well as the largest provincial-level cultural relics protection unit among all residences in the area.

Wuxi is the birthplace of China’s national industry and commerce and produced many national capitalists, among whom Zhu Dachun was one of the key figures. He started his career in coal, iron, hardware, and gradually expanded into shipping and real estate. After 13 years of hard work, he completed his initial capital accumulation. At age 52, he was hired as the general comprador of a British trading firm and leveraged his unique position to vigorously develop national industries in the Shanghai and Jiangsu regions, exerting a significant influence on the development of modern Chinese industry and commerce. In recognition of his contributions to establishing modern national industries, Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty specially granted him an official rank of Second-Class Hat Ornament and appointed him as an advisor to the Qing government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce, making him Wuxi’s first “Red-Topped Merchant” in modern times.

This group of houses in Zhu Dachun’s hometown of Bodu Port in Wuxi consists of half ancestral property (some say it belonged to his wife, Madam Chen) and half expansions he made after becoming successful in Shanghai. The main axis of the residence includes four courtyards built during the Qing Dynasty, all simple single-story structures with three-bay facades and flush-gable roofs. The third courtyard features uniquely designed beams carved with ruyi cloud patterns, a boat-canopy-shaped corridor in front, and a double-step corridor at the back, giving it high architectural and artistic value.

The houses on both sides of the main axis were added later. On the west side, there are single-story buildings with three-bay facades spanning four courtyards. On the east side stands a two-story small rotary tower building with three bays and two courtyards. At the northeast corner of this building, a stone boundary marker inscribed with “Zhu Shi Ji Jie” (Zhu Family Boundary) remains. The entire compound is of a considerable size, with some structures finely crafted and featuring distinct characteristics. In the early years of the Republic of China, Zhu Dachun was enthusiastic about public welfare projects in his hometown. He co-founded two elementary schools for commoners and converted his former residence into Dachun Elementary School, earning him a plaque from the Beiyang Government that read “Respect Teaching and Encourage Learning.” He also successively funded the construction of Tongyun Bridge and Tonghui Bridge, and solely financed the construction of Dachun Bridge over Bodu Port (now rebuilt as Xinglong Bridge). Additionally, he provided funding for the restoration of Longguang Pagoda, Baoshan Temple, and Qingshan Temple.

On June 5, 2006, Zhu Dachun’s Former Residence was announced as part of the Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Scenic Spot Address: Zhu Family Garden, No. 117, Bodu Port, Nanchang District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 13, 32, 77, 107, 111, 503, 702, 752, 753, or 756 in Wuxi City and get off at Zhaoshangcheng Station.

Zhu Dachun (1856–1926), courtesy name Lanfang, was born on November 12 of the sixth year of the Xianfeng reign in the Qing Dynasty (December 9, 1856), in Bodu Port, south of Wuxi. He was a modern industrialist. His father, Xue Tang, once served as an aide to a military commander stationed at Mudu Bridge under Li Hongzhang’s command in the Qing army. Zhu Dachun grew up in Wuqueqiao Lane, Suzhou with his father. After his father passed away, life became difficult and his family could not afford to send him to school. At the age of 16, through an introduction, he apprenticed at Cao Sanfang Smelting Workshop in Wuxi and later at Shanghai Dacheng Hardware Store. While working, he studied business operations and supplemented his education. After completing his three-year apprenticeship, he had a deep understanding of the hardware trade. In the tenth year of the Guangxu reign... Zhu Dachun’s detailed information++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units