Former Residence of Xu Songnian

Former Residence of Xu Songnian

The former residence of Xu Songnian is a cultural relic protection unit of Rui'an City.

The former residence of Xu Songnian is located at No. 24, Shuixin Street, Yuhai Subdistrict, Rui'an City. It was built during the Jiaqing to Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty (1796–1851). Facing south, it consists of a courtyard complex made up of an entrance hall, main hall, wing rooms, and a main building.

The entrance hall is five bays wide, measuring 22.2 meters in total width and four bays deep, spanning 5.35 meters in depth. It features a post-and-lintel construction system combined with through-tenon work, using a total of 40 pillars. The rear eave pillar capitals are designed with a three-step one-curved design, and the roof is flush gable. Both the main hall and the main building are two-story structures, seven bays wide, totaling 26.5 meters in width, and six bays deep. They also use the post-and-lintel and through-tenon construction, have front and rear corridors, and use a total of 56 pillars. The eave pillar capitals are designed with a five-step two-curved design, and the roof is flush gable.

Source: Wenzhou Museum

Xu Songnian (1767–1827), courtesy name Rongjun, art name Leshan, was a native of Rui'an. He was tall and had a majestic appearance. At the age of 20, he passed the martial arts examination, and at 22, he joined the Wenzhou Naval Garrison. In the 59th year of the Qianlong reign (1794) of the Qing Dynasty, he was appointed as a Qianzong (military officer rank) of the Left Battalion of the Huangyan Naval Garrison. The following year, he was promoted to the position of Shoubi (garrison commander) of the Zhenhai Naval Battalion. In the 4th year of the Jiaqing reign (1799), he joined Admiral Li Changgeng of the Dinghai Naval Garrison in defeating the anti-Qing armed group Fengwei Bang off Sancha (Dongtou), Wenzhou. In the 5th year, he was exceptionally promoted to Youying Youji (right battalion guerrilla officer) of the Dinghai Naval Garrison. In February of the 9th year, he was promoted to Canjiang (military commander) of the Naval Garrison. In March, he fought alongside Li Changgeng to defeat Cai Qian. In January of the 10th year, he served as acting … More details on Xu Songnian ++

Yuhai Subdistrict: Yuhai Subdistrict is located in Rui'an City, Zhejiang Province, covering an area of 6.6 square kilometers, with a population of 79,500 people (as of the end of 2008). It administers 16 communities including Hou??, Fengshan, Yunjiang, Dianxiang, Shadi, Xianqian, Wangjiang, Binjiang, Yanjiang, Nanmen, Puhou, Dongmen, Dongqiao, Hongnan, Dongfeng, and Ximen Hetou, as well as 2 administrative villages: Hou?? and Dongyong. The subdistrict office is located on Zhou Song Road. The subdistrict serves as the commercial and cultural hub of Rui'an, rich in cultural heritage and historical depth, and boasts unique local resources. By leveraging the role of the Yuhai Cultural Activity Center, it actively fosters distinctive culture and builds fifteen … More details on Yuhai Subdistrict ++