Integrity Culture Square

Integrity Culture Square

Yangzhou Integrity Culture Square, also known as Qingke Square, is located west of the municipal government and opposite the customs office. Originally a public leisure square for residents, it was redesigned in the second half of 2005 by city leaders who decided to enhance the existing space with additional landscape features.

Integrity Culture Square is an open public park composed of three themed landscape areas: “Integrity Stone, Clear Pavilion, and Mirror of Reflection.” Drawing inspiration from the ancient city’s historical and cultural background, it carefully selects figures and stories from Yangzhou’s history that carry significant integrity education value. The design organically integrates integrity culture with garden artistry, public leisure, and moral education, enriching the theme with deep historical and cultural meaning. The square is divided into three scenic zones: Spring Breeze Pavilion, Ancient Bronze Mirror, and Banqiao Stone.

1. Spring Breeze Pavilion: Zhang Boxing, an official of the Qing Dynasty, was known for his integrity, dedication to duty, and concern for people’s livelihoods. He was widely regarded by the public as “the most incorruptible official under heaven.” During his tenure as Governor of Jiangsu, he issued the famous “Proclamation Against Bribery” to strictly prohibit corrupt practices among subordinate officials, leaving behind the enduring quote: “Every thread and grain bears my reputation; every cent and penny is the people’s hard-earned wealth. To yield an inch is to grant the people more than an inch; to take a single coin makes me worthless in their eyes.” In the autumn of the 50th year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign, Zhang was falsely accused while investigating an imperial examination scandal and was dismissed from office. Merchants and citizens in Yangzhou protested by shutting down markets, with thousands gathering outside his residence, their cries shaking the city. When Zhang left his post in Yangzhou, the locals offered humble gifts such as vegetables and tofu, earnestly saying, “While in office, you drank only a cup of water from the south; now that you depart, do not refuse the heartfelt sentiments of your people.” Later, after the Kangxi Emperor investigated and cleared his name, Zhang was reinstated and praised as “truly one who puts the people first.” After Zhang’s passing, the Yongzheng Emperor posthumously honored him with the title “Qingke” (literally “Pure and Reverent”), and the people of Yangzhou built the Spring Breeze Pavilion in his memory.

2. Ancient Bronze Mirror: Yangzhou has a rich history of bronze mirror craftsmanship. To reflect the characteristic of “Cultural Heritage Yangzhou,” three representative bronze mirrors unearthed over the years in Yangzhou were selected, enlarged, and displayed. These include a Warring States Period bronze mirror with cloud-thunder pattern and linked arc motifs, a Western Han Dynasty bronze mirror with celestial beings and mythical animals, and a Tang Dynasty bronze mirror depicting polo play. The mirror area also features an inscription of a famous quote by Emperor Taizong of Tang: “Using bronze as a mirror, one can adjust one’s clothes and hat; using history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties; using others as a mirror, one can see one’s own gains and losses.” This serves to encourage people to engage in regular self-reflection and discipline.

3. Banqiao Stone: A massive stone stands in the square. Its southern face bears a stone carving of Zheng Banqiao’s portrait; the eastern side is inscribed with a brief biography of Zheng Banqiao’s life, and the northern side displays his renowned poem expressing love for the people: “Lying in my study, I hear the rustling bamboo — I suspect it is the cry of the people’s suffering. Though we are but minor officials of the county, every twig and leaf touches our hearts.”

One square, two upright officials — a reminder for all to take history as a mirror, reflect on oneself, and maintain integrity…

In 2009, the Standing Committee of the Yangzhou Municipal People’s Congress passed a resolution designating the city’s Integrity Culture Square as a permanently protected green space. Over the past decade, the square has hosted a series of integrity-themed activities for the public, including integrity riddle contests, poetry competitions, and kite-flying events with the character for “integrity.” While providing a venue for leisure, entertainment, and fitness, the square has also subtly educated Party members, cadres, and the general public about integrity, generating significant social and ecological benefits.