Lai Xu Pavilion

Lai Xu Pavilion

In the twelfth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1873 AD), Xu Yaoguang, the prefect of Jiaxing, was about to complete his term and go to the capital to meet the emperor. The local gentry of Jiaxing built a pavilion northwest of the Yuewu Tower. Before Xu left Jiaxing, they held a farewell banquet for him on the lake island and named the pavilion "Lai Xu Pavilion," meaning they hoped Xu Yaoguang would come back to Jiaxing. That summer, after Xu reported to the imperial court in the capital, he indeed fulfilled the gentry’s earnest wish expressed in the name “Lai Xu (Come Back, Xu),” returning to Jiaxing to continue serving as prefect.

Both “Lai Xu Pavilion” and the nearby “Jian Pavilion” are associated with Xu Yaoguang (1817–1881), the Qing prefect of Jiaxing. Walking through the corridor to the back of “Lai Xu Pavilion,” you’ll see its plaque inscribed by Cheng Shifa (1921–2007). The front plaque of “Lai Xu Pavilion” was written by Yu Pingbo (1900–1990).

Inside the pavilion, there used to be a wooden plaque inscribed with “Dr. Sun Yat-sen visited here in the first year of the Republic of China,” along with a photo of Sun during his stay at South Lake in Jiaxing. In 1912, after resigning as the provisional president of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen gave a speech and toured South Lake when passing through Jiaxing on December 8 on his way from Shanghai to Hangzhou. Today, “Lai Xu Pavilion” displays a portrait of Xu Yaoguang and a brief introduction to his governance achievements — now, let’s get back to the pavilion itself.

“Lai Xu Pavilion” was built to commemorate the achievements of Xu Yaoguang, the Qing prefect of Jiaxing. Starting in the third year of the Tongzhi reign (1864), Xu served as the prefect of Jiaxing for ten years. Known for his integrity, leading by example, and focus on practical results, he accomplished many tangible and beneficial projects for the development of Jiaxing.

Due to Xu Yaoguang’s remarkable performance, he was commended by the governor of Zhejiang and, upon his recommendation, was ordered in the summer of 1873 to report to the imperial court in the capital. Before his departure, the elders of Jiaxing held a farewell ceremony for him at Yuewu Tower on South Lake, praising his governance. Deeply moved, Xu promised that after reporting to the court, he would be willing to return to Jiaxing to serve again, repaying the affection of the local people. Coincidentally, the newly built pavilion was completed at this time. To express their hope for Xu’s return to Jiaxing, the gathered elders and gentry unanimously agreed to name the pavilion “Lai Xu (Come Back, Xu).”

That winter, as promised, Xu Yaoguang returned after reporting to the court and once again took up the post of prefect of Jiaxing, which became a widely celebrated story.

By today’s standards, he would have been sent to a party school for training and then promoted to a leadership position at the provincial level. So, you can bring your kids who are studying to the pavilion for some good luck too.