Former Site of Soochow University

Former Site of Soochow University

The former site of Soochow University is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former site of Soochow University is located at No. 1 Shizi Street, Suzhou. It was designated as a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1991, a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2001, and a Major National Historical and Cultural Site in 2013. In the tenth year of the Tongzhi reign (1871), the American Methodist Episcopal Church set up Cunyang Academy on Shiquan Street in Suzhou, which was relocated to Tiancizhuang in the fifth year of the Guangxu reign (1879) and renamed Boxi Academy. It merged with Zhongxi Academy. In the 27th year of Guangxu, Zhongxi Academy moved again to the former site of Boxi Academy in Tiancizhuang and established Soochow University Hall, also known as Soochow Grand Academy, becoming one of the early mission universities established in China by American Christian churches. After the Xinhai Revolution, it was renamed Soochow University.

In its early days, Soochow University only offered secondary school classes, with fewer than 100 students. In the 31st year, it began enrolling university-level students. In the third year of the Xuantong reign (1911), Shanghai Zhongxi Academy merged into it. The school’s Western curriculum largely followed the model of American universities, while Chinese studies were independently arranged. It included colleges of arts, science, and law, along with several affiliated secondary schools. In October 1952, following the national restructuring of university departments, Soochow University was reorganized into Jiangsu Teachers College. In June 1982, it was transformed into Soochow University, becoming the first comprehensive university under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province, with its campus facilities having expanded significantly beyond the former site.

The former site of Soochow University covers an area of approximately 60,000 square meters, with a total building area of 21,000 square meters. The main gate faces north, and the overall layout is slightly elongated vertically. The main buildings are distributed on the north, west, and east sides of the central lawn and playground. Among them are the “Lin Hall” bell tower, constructed in the autumn of the 27th year of the Guangxu reign (1891) and completed in the spring of the 29th year (1893), located at the center of the campus; the “Sun Hall” library, started in the autumn of the first year of the Xuantong reign (1909) and completed in the third year (1911); the “Ge Hall” science building, completed in the autumn of 1924; the student dormitory “Wig Hall,” built in 1934; the student dormitory “Zishi Hall,” built in 1935; and the gymnasium, completed in 1936. These buildings feature diverse styles—some in European classical design, others mimicking medieval castles or American church architecture—yet they maintain both variety and unity, all preserved in their original form. Additionally, there is a row of six small buildings parallel to the main gate in the northern part of the campus, aesthetically designed, some in the style of Western American residences, built between the 33rd year of Guangxu (1907) and 1919, originally serving as residences for senior faculty. To the west, there is also a five-story building, the female dormitory completed in 1936.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) announced the former site of Soochow University as a Major National Historical and Cultural Site.

Admission

Free

Location

No. 1 Shizi Street, Canglang District, Suzhou

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites