Former Site of the Jiangsu Governor's Office

Former Site of the Jiangsu Governor's Office

The former site of the Jiangsu Governor's Office is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The former site of the Jiangsu Governor's Office is located at No. 20 Shuyuan Lane, Gusu District, Suzhou. Originally the site of Heshan Academy, it was converted into an official government office during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty. In 1982, it was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Suzhou and is currently under the protection and management of the Suzhou Health School.

Historical Background:

Shuyuan Lane, where the office site is located, is a street in the southern part of Suzhou. During the Tang Dynasty, it was called Nangongfang, with a memorial archway standing at the eastern entrance of the lane. From the Song Dynasty onward, it was known as Nanyuan Lane. Later, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty bestowed the residence here to Wei Liaoweng and inscribed the words “Heshan Academy.” Wei QI, a great-grandson of Wei Liaoweng, restored Heshan Academy here during the Yuan Dynasty, and the lane has since been known by its current name.

During the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, the site of the academy was used as a residence for touring governors. From the fifth year of the Xuande era (1430) to the third year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty (1911), it served as the office of the Jiangsu Governor. From the establishment of the governorship in the Ming Xuande era to the end of the Qing Dynasty, over a span of 480 years, many notable officials governed from here, including Zhou Chen, Hai Rui, Liang Zhangju, Zhang Boxing, and Lin Zexu. Lin Zexu served here for about five years, achieving remarkable political accomplishments and earning deep affection from the people. The last governor, Cheng Dequan, influenced by revolutionary forces, declared Jiangsu’s independence from the Qing court here, which also played a certain role in the collapse of the Qing government.

Current Condition:

In line with the principle of restoring the site as close to its original appearance as possible, the Suzhou municipal government carried out protective emergency repairs on the former site of the Jiangsu Governor's Office in July 2005.

The original Governor's Office complex was very large. Currently, the surviving structures include the gate, ceremonial gate, rear hall, and rear building, all rebuilt in the fifth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1866). The original main hall was demolished in 1980. The gate features a flush gable roof, is five bays wide (23 meters), and 10 meters deep.

On June 5, 2006, the former site of the Jiangsu Governor's Office was announced as part of the sixth batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units