Weiyaoguanqian Pan’s Residence

Weiyaoguanqian Pan’s Residence

Weiyaoguanqian Pan’s Residence is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Weiyaoguanqian Pan’s Residence, also known as LIGengtang, is located on Weiyao Guanqian along Pingjiang Road. In 1982, it was designated as a cultural relics protection unit of Suzhou.

This residence was built in the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign (1787) by the Huizhou merchant Pan Qizhao. Covering 6,700 square meters with a construction area of 7,500 square meters, it faces south and is divided into five routes and six courtyards, with a rear passage leading to Huntang Lane. The complex is large in scale, with tall buildings and exquisite decorations, and remains relatively intact today. The central route is slightly westward and consists sequentially of the entrance hall, sedan hall, main hall, and three courtyards of upper-floor rooms. The main hall originally bore a plaque inscribed with “LIGengtang”. It is a single-eave gable and hip roof structure, spanning five bays (17 meters wide) and 13.7 meters deep. The platform is built with granite kerbstones and side slabs, 55 cm high, with kerbstones as thick as 26 cm. The central bay has three stone steps that are finely crafted, smooth, and level. The beam structure is of the “flat-style” type, with a single-spice arched front corridor and front and rear boat-canopy arched ceilings inside the hall, connected by a four-span main beam. The eaves' rafter ends are carved with dragon heads and carp amid waves, while the inner overhangs feature lingzhi mushroom beam pads. Originally, the left and right side rooms had low partitions and half-railings; during celebrations, the main hall would double as a stage, with male guests seated inside and female guests watching from behind the railings. Overall, the main hall boasts a well-organized structure, robust materials, refined craftsmanship, and is a representative work from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. The rear hall is a five-bay structure with two side rooms, featuring a double-eave design. Below, there are crane-leg and boat-canopy arched ceilings, with beam pads intricately carved with various flowers and well preserved. The eastern section’s front part is a mandarin duck hall, with round-style beams in the front and flat-style ones at the back. The front courtyard has ancient trees such as lacebark pines and crape myrtles; the original rockery has been removed, leaving only scattered lake stones. The entire residence features eight brick-carved gate towers, with the ones in front of the sedan hall, main hall, and rear hall in the central route being the best preserved, all bearing inscriptions dated to the 52nd year of Qianlong. Each gate tower is unique. The one in front of the sedan hall is 3.25 meters wide, with a single-eave gable and hip roof, side battens made of brick, and a ridge finial in the shape of an open-mouthed dragon. The flying rafters have slight curves, and under the eaves stand lotus-style “one-dou-three-rise” brackets, with a plain upper beam highlighting the purity and elegance of the lotus. Below the beam are sunflower-patterned decorative hangings. The inscription plaque reads “Ju De Si Yi” (“Nourish Virtue and Cultivate Peace”) surrounded by bat and lotus leaf borders. The central lower beam, known as “a piece of jade”, is carved with a lock shape with a round hole on each side. The overall form is a fine balance of complexity and simplicity, with exquisitely detailed carvings. The brick gate tower behind the sedan hall, facing the LIGengtang, is a hip-and-gable roof with triple eaves and upturned wing corners, spanning 3.35 meters. It has six brackets, with three projecting tiers and additional maple brackets on both sides. The upper beam is carved with intertwined peony patterns, the vertical pillars decorated with L-shaped scroll patterns, and the standing carvings include lingzhi and hanging flower baskets. The inscription plaque is engraved with “Bing Jing Zhuo Ya” (“Upholding Classics and Refining Elegance”), flanked by relief carvings of incense burners, bordered by scroll patterns. The borders are adorned with hollow carvings of various floral patterns, the balcony is fitted with scroll-patterned railings, and the lower parts are decorated with flower-patterned hanging ornaments. The corner blocks are plain, and the base resembles a Sumeru pedestal. A clear-water brick door is installed. The overall form is elegant, with lavish upper carvings and a stable, simple lower section. It is currently well preserved. The brick gate tower in front of the fourth-courtyard rear hall is the most exquisitely carved. It is a single-eave gable and hip roof with finely crafted side battens. The gate tower is 3.33 meters wide, though its inscription plaque is painted over and awaits cleaning. The eaves are decorated with scroll patterns, and it has two tiers of brackets with hollow-carved maple brackets featuring various flowers. The entire brick gate tower employs three-dimensional openwork carving techniques, with decorations protruding from the surface. The upper and lower beams, central panels, vertical pillars, and both side walls are fully covered with carvings of seasonal flowers, centered around peonies and surrounded by plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, lotuses, osmanthus, peach blossoms, cockscomb flowers, pomegranates, lingzhi mushrooms, Buddha’s hands, and longevity peaches — an array of famous flowers and immortal fruits in vivid, classic forms. Most strikingly, each vertical pillar’s base block is carved with a toad, rendered with lifelike detail. The roof ridge is adorned with hollow-carved bats among clouds and dragons amid flying clouds, which stand out vividly against the white wall, appearing as if ready to take flight. These three brick-carved gate towers preserved in the central route of Pan’s Residence each have their distinct features, with rigorous compositions, fine craftsmanship, and exceptional carving skills. They fully represent the high artistry of Suzhou’s traditional handmade brick carvings, and are considered masterpieces of Qing Dynasty brick carving, possessing significant historical and artistic value.

Listed as a cultural relics protection unit of Suzhou in 1982.

On June 5, 2006, Weiyaoguanqian Pan’s Residence was announced as part of the sixth batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units