Former Site of the National Assembly Hall

Former Site of the National Assembly Hall

The Former Site of the National Assembly Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

Nanjing People's Congress Hall, originally the National Assembly Hall, is situated at No. 264 Changjiang Road (formerly Lin Sen Road), facing south. The entire structure is made of reinforced concrete, comprising five floors including the flat roof and basement. It is outfitted with amenities such as heating, air conditioning, fire safety, ventilation, water, electricity, and sanitation systems. The front has a convex design, while the interior hallways are wide and the ceiling is arched, blending seamlessly with the adjacent Jiangsu Art Museum just across the wall, creating a harmonious and complementary ensemble. The walls are made of bush-hammered stone, and above the gatehouse are inlaid five large golden characters reading "People's Congress Hall," giving the building a classic and dignified appearance.

The Congress Hall was completed on May 5, 1936. In September 1935, Kong Xiangxi and other members proposed constructing a National Assembly Hall in the capital, suggesting that it could also serve as the National Drama and Music Academy and the Art Exhibition Hall, which was approved by the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang. The proposed architectural plans and all facilities were to be suitable for use as a National Assembly Hall, functioning both as a theater and a conference venue—serving dual purposes without waste. On November 20, 1935, the Preparatory Committee for the National Assembly Hall publicly opened bids, and the contract was ultimately awarded to the Shanghai Lugenji Construction Company. Designed by architect Li Zongkan of the Taoji Engineering Firm, the National Assembly Hall, also known as the National Drama and Music Academy, largely adopts the form of a modern theater. Its façade uses the Western modern architectural method of dividing the structure into three sections: base, wall, and upper section, but the exterior, window patterns, canopies, and doors are all simplified with Chinese design motifs. The interior structure is rational, and the acoustics are excellent. The street-facing side houses offices, flanked by two-story lounges, while the stage features a protruding semicircular proscenium and a crescent-shaped orchestra pit. The hall is fully equipped with automatic voting devices and simultaneous interpretation systems, and has over 3,000 velvet spring seats. During the War of Resistance, Nanjing fell, and the Congress Hall was occupied by the puppet Reformed Government Committee, with its wings taken over by the puppet Central Military Commission Intelligence Office (later renamed the Reporting Office). After the victory in the War of Resistance, the Kuomintang returned to Nanjing. By then, the National Assembly Hall and its internal facilities were in a state of disrepair. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the National Assembly Hall was renamed the People's Congress Hall and received attention and protection from the government. Managed directly by the Nanjing Municipal People’s Government, the People's Congress Hall is now an important venue for the Jiangsu Provincial and Nanjing Municipal governments to hold significant meetings, celebratory events, and artistic performances. It also serves as an ideal location for domestic and international guests to engage in trade, tourism, conferences, and various social activities.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangsu Province

· Sixth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level