Ruins of the Taiping Army Barracks at Wenchang Pavilion

Ruins of the Taiping Army Barracks at Wenchang Pavilion

The ruins of the Taiping Army Barracks at Wenchang Pavilion are a cultural heritage site protected by the Suzhou Municipal Government.

The ruins of the Taiping Army barracks at Wenchang Pavilion are located on an earthen mound on the west bank of the Grand Canal, south of Xingxian Bridge in Hushu Pass, in the suburbs of the city. Wenchang Pavilion was originally built in the 23rd year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1595). Surrounded by small streams and situated on high ground overlooking the canal, the site held a strategically important position.

From 1860 to 1863, during the Taiping Army’s occupation of Hushu Pass, they used Wenchang Pavilion as a stronghold for controlling the canal and as a storage site for provisions. They constructed a brick wall around the pavilion, over 3 meters high and about 1 meter thick. Along the northern side facing the river, inside the main gate, there was also a crescent-shaped brick fortification similar to a barbican. The southeast corner had a gate leading down to a pool, with the raised characters “Cǎoyuán” (Grass Garden) inscribed in relief on the bricks above the door. Although the brick wall and fortifications were demolished in 1958, only ruins remain, the front and rear halls of Wenchang Pavilion along with the side chambers that once housed the Taiping Army still stand. These structures are Qing Dynasty–era buildings with flush gable roofs, and remnants of unique Taiping Heavenly Kingdom–style dragon-and-phoenix tile ends and water spouts can still be seen on the rooftops. Wenchang Pavilion is an important historical site in the ancient town of Hushu Pass and a scenic highlight along the Grand Canal.