Xiaolou Lane Architectural Complex

Xiaolou Lane Architectural Complex

The Xiaolou Lane Architectural Complex is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xiaolou Lane is a historic and cultural district located in Chong'an District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. It is one of the four major historic and cultural districts of Wuxi. The area spans from Sujia Lane in the west to Xinsheng Road in the east, and from Chongning Road in the north to Futian Lane in the south. Currently, the eastern sections of the northern and southern parts remain, covering an area of approximately 40,000 square meters.

This area has been the long-time residence of two distinguished Wuxi clans—the Tan and Qin families—since the Song Dynasty, flourishing particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Since the Song Dynasty, it has produced one top imperial scholar (zhuangyuan), thirteen successful imperial examination candidates (jinshi), and fifteen provincial examination graduates (juren). In modern times, the district has also been the birthplace of numerous members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as presidents of prestigious universities, earning it a reputation as Wuxi’s “land of talent.” The surviving buildings primarily date from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republican era.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) designated the Xiaolou Lane Architectural Complex as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units