Xue Family Courtyard in Wen Village

Xue Family Courtyard in Wen Village

Xue Family Courtyard in Wen Village is a cultural relic protection unit of Suzhou.

Xue Family Courtyard in Wen Village

Located on the old street of Wen Village, Bixi New District, it faces south with its back to the north and was built during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty. The existing structure consists of three courtyards and three sections across two stories, constructed with brick and wood. It features a flush gable roof, with fireproofing walls on the exterior, and has a symmetrical floor plan. The layout of the residence is orderly and square, with sections arranged in a clear sequence. The first section serves as the gatehouse, the second as the front hall — a double-eaved structure with a post-and-lintel system, spanning a total width of four bays (12.1 meters), and a total depth of seven bays (7.1 meters). At the rear is a brick-carved gate tower inscribed with the four large characters “Four Admonitions for Instruction.” The third section is the main hall, spanning a total width of three bays (19.6 meters) and a total depth of seven bays (9.1 meters). In front of the hall are two-story wing rooms. The rear brick-carved gate tower is inscribed with the four large characters “Prosperity and Good Fortune” along with decorative patterns. The inner courtyard is thoughtfully arranged, with halls, rooms, and chambers all present. The courtyard walls and skywells are staggered in design, and traces of a garden and fish pond can still be seen. It was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Changshu City in June 2009.