Chen Family Carriage House

Chen Family Carriage House

By the Kuai River in Chenjia Village, Zhangqi Town, stands a remarkably well-preserved building from the Republican era, locally known as the "Carriage House."

The Carriage House covers an area of over 10 acres and is enclosed by courtyard walls surrounded by several layers of tall, lush metasequoias, creating a complete green conservation area. At both ends of the wall rise high horse-head walls, with colorful paintings beneath the eaves. The main entrance faces south, but the stone carvings on the gate tower were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Stepping through the main gate, you encounter a large screen wall, and beyond it lies a spacious square courtyard, paved with 100 stone slabs—hence nicknamed the "Hundred-Slab Courtyard." Corridors on all sides of the courtyard provide access regardless of weather. The east and west wings each have three rooms, while the central row consists of seven two-story rooms: three in the middle and two on either side along the corridors. The center serves as the main hall, flanked by corridors leading to the back row of single-story houses. The front hall has corridors and gateways on both east and west sides, beyond which lies another courtyard. The staircases to the second floor are located within the side corridors, and every room on all floors is interconnected via passageways. The design is meticulous, with doors at every passage that can be opened or closed for security. The eaves, columns, and brackets around the large courtyard are carved with floral patterns, though the overall decoration reflects the Republican-era preference for simplicity and elegance, a stark contrast to the intricate and ornate style of pre-Qing architecture.

1129883618.gif The owners of the Carriage House were the three Chen brothers: the eldest, Chen Chengxu; the second, Chen Chenglun; and the youngest, Chen Chengtong. The brothers came from humble beginnings but later made their fortune at the Dingji Tobacco Shop in Shanghai. In the early 20th century, Chen Chengxu built the first Carriage House near the southeast river bend of Zhanghe River in Zhangqi Town, known as the "Old Carriage House." In the 1920s, Chen Chenglun constructed another Carriage House on the south bank of the Kuai River, south of Daze Bridge, referred to as the "Middle Carriage House." In the 1930s, Chen Chengtong began building the "New Carriage House" adjacent to the Old Carriage House, but construction was halted due to the Japanese invasion and only completed after the end of the Anti-Japanese War. Currently, the best-preserved structure is the Middle Carriage House. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was taken over by the government and served for a long time as the office and administrative base of Zhangqi Town Government. In 2000, the last government offices moved out. In 2002, the town government allocated 1 million yuan for a comprehensive restoration, returning the building to its original classic appearance.

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