Stele of the West Water Post

Stele of the West Water Post

The Stele of the West Water Post is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

The Stele of the West Water Post is located on the west side of Huancheng West Road at the western end of Xixi Street in downtown Jiaxing, along the eastern bank of the Jiaxing section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It faces east.

According to the Jiaxing Annals, Jiaxing has long been a strategic location, “connecting to eight southern provinces in the south, linking to the three Wu regions in the north, and extending to the Jiangyou area,” which led to the early establishment of post stations. In the 23rd year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (649), the Anyun Station was built at the west gate of Jiaxing City, which developed into the Jiayi Station during the Song Dynasty. In the 17th year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhiyuan era (1280), the Jiaxing Route Water Post Station was established. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was called the West Post Station, which was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. It was renovated during the Xuande era and expanded with halls and offices in the 7th year of the Wanli era (1579). In the 11th year of the Qing Dynasty's Kangxi era (1671), the West Water Station was rebuilt to serve as a place for ceremonial cannon salutes and receptions for passing officials. In the 52nd year of the Qianlong era (1787), the Shihui Pavilion was constructed to welcome officials traveling on official duties and foreign envoys. Historical records reveal the comprehensive facilities and well-developed messaging and hospitality functions of the West Water Post at the time, reflecting the prosperity of Jiaxing City. In 1998, a stele from the 5th year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhiyuan era (1268), carved when the West Water Post Station of the Jiaxing Route was rebuilt, was discovered within the wall at the eastern end of Xili Bridge. The stele stands 2.14 meters tall, 1.06 meters wide, and 0.27 meters thick, with an inscription comprising 21 lines of 37 characters each. The stele’s header reads “Record of the Reconstruction of the Jiaxing Route Water Post.” In 1999, a new West Post Pavilion was built on-site, with the stele placed inside.

In January 2011, it was announced as part of the sixth batch of cultural relic protection units of Zhejiang Province.

Jianshe Subdistrict: Jianshe Subdistrict is located in Nanhu District, Jiaxing, Zhejiang. It governs:

330402007018 111 Chengqu Neighborhood Committee

330402007022 111 Nanyang Community Neighborhood Committee

330402007023 111 Yangliuwan Community Neighborhood Committee

330402007024 111 Baifulong Community Neighborhood Committee

330402007029 111 Pingshan Community Neighborhood Committee

330402007030 111 Dingjiaqiao Community Neighborhood Committee… Detailed information about Jianshe Subdistrict++

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Zhejiang Province