Former Residence of Wang Ganchang

The former residence of Wang Ganchang

The former residence of Wang Ganchang is a protected cultural heritage site of Jiangsu Province.

The former residence of Wang Ganchang

Located at No. 44 Nanjie, Zhitang Town, Changshu City. During his youth, both before going abroad and after returning to China, Wang Ganchang stayed here during visits to his family in Zhitang until 1936. The courtyard complex remains relatively intact, currently consisting of three courtyards and three sections. The first section is a gatehouse, spanning three bays with a total width of 8.22 meters and a depth of seven rafters totaling 5.62 meters. The second section is a hall, spanning three bays with a total width of 6.73 meters and a depth of seven rafters totaling 6.92 meters. It features a well-preserved wooden beam structure. The beams are flat and made of sturdy materials, decorated with carvings of bats, mythical beasts, and other motifs. On the north side of the courtyard in the second section stands a small side building — a two-story house. The third section is a two-story building, spanning three bays with a total width of 7.82 meters and a depth of seven rafters totaling 7.42 meters. The entire structure exhibits clear late Qing Dynasty architectural features. It was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site of Changshu in June 2009. A comprehensive restoration was carried out in 2017, and it has since been turned into the Wang Ganchang Memorial Hall.

Wang Ganchang (May 28, 1907 – December 10, 1998) was born in Changshu, Jiangsu Province. He was a nuclear physicist. In 1955, he was elected as an academician (member) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1950, he joined the Jiusan Society. He served as a member of the Central Committee for the 4th, 5th, and 6th terms, a Standing Committee member for the 7th term, and an Honorary Chairman for the 10th term of the Jiusan Society.

Since childhood, Wang Ganchang was active and studious. He initially attended a private school, then transferred to Shaxi Primary School in Taicang County in 1916. At the age of 13, he moved to Shanghai and studied at Pudong Middle School. After graduating from high school in 1924, he went on to… More detailed information about Wang Ganchang ++

Zhitang Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Changshu City. It was called Zhitang Town in 1949, changed to a township in 1957, a commune in 1958, reverted to a township in 1983, and became a town again in 1986. It is located in the southeastern part of the city, 24 kilometers from downtown. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers with a population of 31,000, National Highway 204 passes through it, and the Bai'mao and Yantie ponds converge north of the town. It administers 20 village committees including Yangqiao, Mengjing, Mafang, Xinmiao, Heshe, Sanlian, Yaozhen, Shuangqiao, Fengtang, Huangjing, Meiyuan, Bachi, Duqiao, Changqiao, Paifang, Ximen, Qipan, Qiandao, Zhidong, and Fisheries, as well as the Dongjie, Nanjie, Beijie… More detailed information about Zhitang Town ++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Jiangsu Province