Tianzhuang Ancient Town (Tianzhuang Ancient Street)

Tianzhuang Ancient Town (Tianzhuang Ancient Street)

Tianzhuang Ancient Town is located one kilometer east of Heyang Mountain in Fenghuang Town. In ancient times, it thrived culturally and commercially, featuring an intricate network of streets, waterways, temples, and ancestral halls, making it unique among the water towns of the Jiangnan region. Legend has it that the once-flourishing Heyang Ancient Town during the Tang and Song dynasties suffered a sudden attack at the turn of the Song and Yuan dynasties, with thousands of homes destroyed in the flames of war. About two kilometers southeast of the eastern foothills of Heyang Mountain, a meandering stream called Xipu Pond flowed past. The survivors of the town were drawn to the areas along both banks of the creek, and they relocated their entire clans to settle there, thus giving rise to Tianzhuang Ancient Town.

During the mid-Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the ancient town entered its heyday. Tianzhuang Ancient Town was a gathering place for eminent scholars, boasting numerous top-ranking imperial examination graduates, including zhuangyuan (number one scholar), bangyan (number two scholar), jinshi (advanced scholars), and juren (provincial degree holders). Among the most notable were Sun Cheng’en, the zhuangyuan of the Shunzhi era in the Qing Dynasty; Yang Sisun, the bangyan of the Xianfeng era; Yang Xiquan, the jinshi of the Jiaqing era; Yang Yisun, the juren of the Daoguang era; the renowned scholar Yang Yuanfeng of the Qing Dynasty and his four sons who all achieved great success. Many other historical figures, such as Jiang Tingxi, tutor to Emperor Qianlong, also left rich cultural legacies in Tianzhuang. Existing provincial-level cultural heritage sites such as the “Bangyan Mansion,” as well as city-level heritage sites like the “Yang Family Filial Piety Archway” and “Yang Family South Residence,” are invaluable treasures. To preserve these precious historic buildings for future generations and ensure their continued use, in December 2006, the municipal government invested 5 million yuan to fully restore the three sites according to the principle of preserving their original appearance. The restoration was completed in August 2007; the three restored sites cover a land area of 5,581 square meters and a building area of 3,110 square meters.

Bangyan Mansion: The Bangyan Mansion was originally built by Yang Dai, a filial son of the early Qing Dynasty. By the Xianfeng era, Yang Dai’s great-grandson, Yang Sisun, achieved the rank of bangyan and retired to his hometown. Four flagpoles were erected at the entrance, leading locals to also call it “Flagpole Lane.” This structure has stood for over a century and has undergone multiple renovations, showcasing architectural styles from the early Qing Dynasty that emulate Ming designs as well as those from the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty. With its high-level design and construction standards, it is a typical official residence of the Qing Dynasty. In 1998, the building was designated as a Zhangjiagang City Cultural Heritage Site, and in 2006, it was listed as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Site. In December 2006, the city began restoring this historic building, with work completed in August 2007. The restored Bangyan Mansion covers a building area of 1,356 square meters and consists of four courtyards: the entrance hall, sedan hall, main hall, and inner hall. One of the door plaques bears the inscription “No Outside Words Enter, No Inside Words Exit,” a motto reflecting family governance and administration at the time. In May 2009, the fifth courtyard — the backyard garden of the Bangyan Mansion — was restored. Currently, the Bangyan Mansion is the largest and oldest structure on Tianzhuang Ancient Street.

Yang Family Filial Piety Archway: Built in the 11th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, this gable-and-hip roofed structure faces east and was constructed by the Qing government to honor the filial son Yang Dai. It is a typical example of Qing Dynasty official architecture. Over the years, particularly before and after the liberation, the Yang Family Filial Piety Archway has served various purposes, including an oil mill, private school, township government office, cotton mill, electrical switch factory, and residential housing. Having stood for nearly two hundred years, the archway had deteriorated significantly over time. To protect this historic relic, it was designated as a cultural heritage site by the municipal government in 1998. Between 2006 and 2007, the government undertook its restoration, which was completed in August 2007. The restored Yang Family Filial Piety Archway covers a building area of 962 square meters and consists of four courtyards. The first courtyard once housed a stone memorial archway engraved with a hollow-carved stone tablet bearing the two characters “Imperial Edict” from Emperor Jiaqing, which remains well-preserved today. The second courtyard’s main hall features three stone tablets inscribed with “Eulogy on the Filial Deeds of Mr. Yang,” three tablets inscribed with “Record of the Yang Family’s Study Fields,” and one tablet inscribed with “Document from the Provincial Administration Commission.” The third courtyard was used for ancestor worship, while the fourth was dedicated to enshrining spirit tablets. The restoration of the Yang Family Filial Piety Archway provides important historical insights into the architecture, history, and clan culture of the time, making it a highly valuable cultural relic.

Yang Family South Residence: Located on the southern side of Tianzhuang Ancient Street, this structure was built by Yang Dai (also known as Yuanfeng), a renowned scholar of the Qing Dynasty, and is a typical example of Qing Dynasty architecture modeled after Ming style. Based on the remaining ruins, the building is believed to have comprised four courtyards: the entrance hall, ceremonial hall, main hall, and rear hall. Such historic architecture is rare in the city and offers significant information for studying the local architecture, history, and culture of the time. To maximize the value of this historic building, in December 2006, the municipal government carried out a comprehensive restoration following the principle of preserving its original appearance, completing the project in August 2007. The current Yang Family South Residence is a two-story building with side rooms and both inner and outer courtyards. The restored structure covers a building area of approximately 200 square meters and showcases the delicate craftsmanship and quaint charm of a typical refined southern residence through its independent courtyard and exquisite carvings.

Address: Tianzhuang Ancient Street, Fenghuang Town, Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province

Type: Featured District / Ancient Town / Ancient Village

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Opening Hours:

8:30–16:30

Ticket Information:

Ticket: 30 RMB, includes entry to the Bangyan Mansion and Yang Family Filial Piety Archway. Free admission for children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 70. Discounted tickets are available for children between 1.2–1.5 meters, seniors aged 60–69, and full-time undergraduate students or below.

Tianzhuang Village: Tianzhuang Village is located in the northeastern part of Fenghuang Town, Zhangjiagang City. It borders the Yangtze River International Textile Industrial Park in Tangqiao Town to the north, connects to Xingshi Village to the east, neighbors Shuangtang Village and Qingshui Village to the south, and lies adjacent to the Santangpu River to the west. It derives its name from “Tianzhuang Ancient Town.” The village has undergone two administrative divisions and currently covers an area of 5.16 square kilometers, with a permanent population of 4,212 and a migrant population of over 5,000. National Highway 204 runs north-south through the area, and the Fenghuang exit of the Yanjiang Expressway is just 1 kilometer away, ensuring convenient land transportation. The village enjoys thriving commerce and tertiary industries and is also home to a 4A-level tourist attraction in Fenghuang Town... More details about Tianzhuang Village ++