Former Residence of Sheng Bingwei

Former Residence of Sheng Bingwei

The former residence of Sheng Bingwei is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Sheng Bingwei is located at No. 12 and No. 14 Zhenming Lane, also known as the Sheng Family Flower Hall. It is a Qing Dynasty building. In terms of layout, it retains the characteristics of many traditional Ningbo residences—such as screen walls blocking the main hall, side entrances, and surrounding walls enclosing the main structure. Architecturally, it is elegant and exquisite, serving as a physical specimen for the study of Qing Dynasty residential architecture in Ningbo.

The original owner of the Flower Hall was Lin Ting’ao, a scholar from the Tongzhi and Guangxu eras of the Qing Dynasty. He loved reading and had a passion for music. He often invited like-minded friends to his study pavilion next to his home, where they would read, write calligraphy, or play musical instruments for leisure. The pavilion housed Buddhist statues, musical instruments, and books, and featured rockeries in front and a pond nearby, along with fine plants such as emerald bamboo, green banana trees, phoenix trees, and pine trees. The owner sought to cultivate his character through the symbolic virtues of these elements—such as the serenity of mountains, the spirituality of water, the humility of bamboo, the resilience of pine, the solitude of the phoenix tree, and the adaptability of banana leaves—and thus named the place “Jin Xing Lou” (Pavilion Close to Nature), also writing an essay titled “Record of the Pavilion Close to Nature.” Because the pavilion’s architecture featured upturned eaves and wing-like corners, making it resemble a giant ship from afar, it was also nicknamed “Ting Lu” (Moored Ship). Later, the “Pavilion Close to Nature” came into the possession of Sheng Bingwei, an education official of the Qing Dynasty. Sheng Bingwei (1856–1931), courtesy names Shengchuan and Yangyuan, was a native of Zhenhai District. After retiring from official duties during the Guangxu era, he actively supported local education initiatives, making outstanding contributions to cultivating many business talents with progressive ideas. In 1897, he co-founded Chucui Academy with Cheng Daocun, then prefect of Ningbo, which was later renamed Ningbo Middle School. In 1904, he also planned the establishment of Zhenhai County Middle School and the County Higher Primary School.

The Sheng Family Flower Hall enjoys a tranquil environment, and such delicate and refined garden architecture is unique in our city.

Sheng Bingwei, courtesy names Shengchuan and Yangyuan, was a native of Zhenhai urban area and the founder of Zhenhai Middle School.

As a teenager, he studied at the Imperial College. In 1879 (the fifth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty), he passed the provincial examination and became a Juren (recommended man), and the following year, he succeeded in the metropolitan examination, becoming a Jinshi (presented scholar). He was selected as a Shujishi (a compiled scholar) and appointed as a Hanlin editor.

In 1885, he was appointed as the Education Commissioner of Sichuan, enforcing strict examinations and eliminating malpractice.

In 1891, he served as the Education Commissioner of Jiangxi, and additionally as an examiner for the Jiangxi provincial examination. He encouraged scholars to study the classics and history, brought over a hundred top students from various counties to study at the Jingxun Academy in the provincial capital, and donated ten thousand volumes of books.

Later, he resigned from office and returned to his hometown to care for his mother. He assessed the times and… [More detailed information about Sheng Bingwei]++