Former Residence of Bian Baodi

Former Residence of Bian Baodi

The former residence of Bian Baodi is a cultural relic protection unit of Yangzhou.

Former Residence of Bian Baodi

Located at No. 219 Guangling Road, it was the residence of Bian Baodi, Governor of Huguang and Viceroy of Min-Zhe during the Qing Dynasty. Bian Baodi, styled Songchen and also known as Yuyuan, was a native of Yizheng but had long resided in Yangzhou. At the outbreak of military conflict in the Xinhai year of the Xianfeng reign (1851), he successively held positions such as an official in the Ministry of Punishments, Langzhong (senior secretary), imperial censor, prefect, and eventually rose to become Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Viceroy of Huguang, and Viceroy of Min-Zhe. The original scope of the residence extended north to Guangling Road and south through No. 86 Dingjiawan. It now covers an area of over 3,000 square meters, with a built-up area of more than 1,000 square meters. Three two-story buildings remain, each five bays wide, interconnected by wing rooms. The third building was partially damaged by fire in the 1990s. There is also a half pavilion and a well on the site. The current layout of the surviving structures forms a “日” (sun) shaped pattern across the three courtyards.

Further Reading:

· List of the Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Yangzhou