Hengtang Post Station

Hengtang Post Station

Hengtang Post Station is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangsu Province.

Hengtang Post Station is located at the junction of Xu River and the Grand Canal.

It served as a key waterway passage from Suzhou to places such as Shihu Lake and Taihu Lake. Originally, the Hengtang Post Station in Suzhou was a land-and-water post station used in ancient times for delivering official documents and providing lodging for traveling officials. Today, only one pavilion remains — a structure built during the Qing Dynasty. Other buildings such as halls, towers, corridors, and terraces no longer exist. The post pavilion was the original entrance gate of the post station, facing southwest toward the water. It has a square floor plan, with one door on the north and south sides respectively, and one window on the east and west sides respectively. Four stone pillars stand at the four corners. On the left and right pillars in front of the southern gate, there is an inscribed couplet: “When guests arrive, brew tea — the lodge shall serve as your host; hang up the lamp and await the moon — the post station reflects far along the Xu River,” with the side note: “The 13th Year of the Tongzhi Reign, June.” It is the only remaining post station of its kind in Suzhou.

Currently, apart from the pavilion, other structures such as towers, corridors, and terraces of the Suzhou Hengtang Post Station no longer exist. This pavilion originally served as the main gate of the post station. Built during the Qing Dynasty, it faces south and is situated by the water. The post pavilion is rectangular in shape, with four stone pillars at the four corners and two wooden pillars each on the north and south sides. It features a six-beam construction and a nine-ridged tiled roof. The surrounding area is enclosed by brick walls, with one door each on the north and south sides, and one window each on the east and west sides. The left and right stone pillars on the southern side are inscribed with: “When guests arrive, brew tea — the lodge shall serve as your host; hang up the lamp and await the moon — the post station reflects far along the Xu River.” The side note reads: “The 13th Year of the Tongzhi Reign, June.” Hengtang was an important transportation hub in ancient times, where guests arriving and departing often bid farewell here. Fan Chengda, a pastoral poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, wrote a poem titled “Hengtang”: “In spring, the south shore turns green all around; / Stone bridge and red pagoda stay steadfast and sound. / Year after year I see guests off on Hengtang Road; / Light rain, weeping willows, and painted boats tied to the ford.”

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Jiangsu Province