Tongli Qingshan Hall

Tongli Qingshan Hall

Tongli Qingshan Hall is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

No. 114 Dongxi Street, Qingshan Hall. Located on Hongta Dai to the east of the north end of Yong’an Bridge, it was built in the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924), facing south toward the river. The property consists of four courtyards and 62 rooms, covering a construction area of 1,371 square meters. It is a hereditary property of Chen Yachu, one of the “Three Chens of Tongli,” along with his younger brother Chen Hanqiu. The hall’s name, “Qingshan” (庆善), carries auspicious meaning, derived from the line in the *Book of Changes · Abundance*: “Six Five: The adornment comes; there will be occasion for joy and praise. Auspicious.” The carvings at Qingshan Hall are exquisitely crafted. Both the front courtyards of the last two sections feature wooden carvings with intricate patterns. Particularly in the rear section, the upper floor projects about one meter outward on three sides facing the courtyard. The eaves of the projecting section are adorned with decorative floral panels, and the railings are covered with carved wooden designs. Even the wooden pillars are engraved with patterns, showcasing a rich variety of carving styles. In September 1986, Qingshan Hall was listed as a Wujiang Municipal Cultural Relics Control Unit, and in December 2008, it was designated as a Wujiang Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.