Former Residence of Pan Zuyin

Former Residence of Pan Zuyin

The Former Residence of Pan Zuyin is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Pan family was one of Suzhou’s most prominent clans, with generations of distinguished lineage—numbering numerous top imperial examination scorers, including zhuangyuan (number one scholars), tanhua (second place), hanlin (academicians), and juren (successful provincial exam candidates). They were reputed as “second to none under heaven,” and locally known as the “Noble Pans.” Since they migrated from Dafu Village in Huizhou, they were also called the “Huizhou Pans.” The Pan residence on South Stone Street (Nos. 6–10) in the Pingjiang Historic District was historically the home of Pan Zuyin, a Grand Councilor during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, and his younger brother Pan Zunian. However, the actual owner of the residence was Pan Zengying, Pan Zuyin’s uncle.

In the 14th year of the Daoguang reign (1834), Pan Zengying’s father—and Pan Zuyin’s grandfather—Pan Shien, a zhuangyuan scholar-official who served as prime minister across the Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng reigns, was granted an imperial residence in the Old Summer Palace. This was naturally a tremendous honor for the “Noble Pan” family. Later, Pan Zengying rebuilt their old residence on South Stone Street in the style of his father’s imperial residence in the capital, creating a large north-facing mansion covering approximately 8,000 square meters.

The residence is divided into three sections with five courtyards. The central section consists of multi-story buildings, with connecting corridors along both sides forming a covered walkway resembling a “horse-turning corridor,” interspersed with spacious courtyards. The fourth courtyard building features a three-bay main section with two wing rooms, spanning about 16.2 meters in width, 13.9 meters in depth, and around 10 meters in height. It has flat-style beams and exquisitely crafted interiors. The western section includes a brick-carved gate tower inscribed with a Jiaqing-era date. There were three horse tethering rings outside the main gate. Unfortunately, the front section of the eastern courtyard has been demolished. Though owned by Pan Zengying, the rebuilt Pan residence was also inhabited by Pan Zunian and Pan Zuyin due to its grand scale.

Pan Zuyin (1830–1890) was a Qing Dynasty official, calligrapher, and book collector. His courtesy name was Zai Zhong, childhood name Feng Sheng, and art names included Bo Yin, Shao Tang, and Zheng?. A native of Wuxian (now Suzhou, Jiangsu), he was the grandson of Grand Secretary Pan Shien and son of Cabinet Attendant Reader Pan Zengshou. He ranked third in the first class of the xiaoxian examination in the second year of the Xianfeng reign, earning the title of tanhua, and was appointed as a compiler. He presided over the palace examination several times and served in the Southern Study for nearly forty years. During the Guangxu reign, he rose to the position of Minister of Works. Well-versed in the classics and history, skilled in regular script calligraphy, and an avid collector of ancient bronzes and stone inscriptions, he authored *Explanations of Bronze Artifacts from the Pan’s Antiquities Tower*. He also compiled the *Pangxi Studio Series* and the *Gongshun Hall Series*.

Pan Zuyin grew up in Beijing, with ancestral roots in... For more details about Pan Zuyin++

Historic District Community: Located in the northeast of Suzhou’s ancient city in Pingjiang District, Jiangsu Province, the Historic District Community stretches from Xiangmen River in the east to Pingjiang River in the west, and from Zhongzhangjia Lane in the south to Guanyuanjia in the north, covering a total area of 0.4 square kilometers. The community is home to over 3,400 households and more than 9,000 residents. The area boasts a rich collection of cultural relics and a strong historical atmosphere, including the World Cultural Heritage site Couple’s Retreat Garden, cultural heritage sites such as the Opera Museum, Pingtan Museum, the Pan residence, and the former home of celebrity Tang Na. It also preserves many historic urban features such as canals, small bridges, alleys, ancient residences, memorial archways, old trees, and ancient wells, all highlighting the charm of “small bridges, flowing water, and... For more details about the Historic District Community++