Zhang Cangshui Memorial Hall (Former Residence of Zhang Cangshui)

Zhang Cangshui Memorial Hall (Former Residence of Zhang Cangshui)

The Zhang Cangshui Memorial Hall (Former Residence of Zhang Cangshui) is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a patriotic education base.

The former residence of Zhang Cangshui is located on Cangshui Street in Haishu District, Ningbo. In 2005, it was incorporated with the tomb of Zhang Huangyan in Hangzhou and designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, under the name Zhang Huangyan Tomb (including the Former Residence of Zhang Huangyan). Zhang Cangshui (1620–1664), whose given name was Huangyan, courtesy name Xuanzhu, and pseudonym Cangshui, was a native of Yin County, Zhejiang. He passed the imperial examination as a juren (recommended man) in the 15th year of the Chongzhen reign (1642) during the Ming Dynasty. Talented in writing, skilled in horseback riding and archery, and keen on military strategy, he once held the position of Minister of War in the Southern Ming regime. In the 2nd year of the Shunzhi reign (1645), after the Qing army captured Nanjing and advanced southward, he joined forces with local loyalists such as Qian Sule and Dong Zhining from eastern Zhejiang to launch an armed uprising at the Town God’s Temple, resisting the Qing forces. He supported Zhu Yihai, the Prince of Lu, as the regent, and later coordinated military operations with Zheng Chenggong’s forces, engaging in battles across the regions of Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Fujian. In 1658, his troops advanced up the Yangtze River, successively capturing four prefectures, three states, and twenty-three counties. However, after suffering a major attack from the Qing army, his forces were defeated. Soon after, he reassembled his troops and continued fighting in various campaigns against the Qing. In the 3rd year of the Kangxi reign (1664), he sustained severe injuries in a battle in Fujian. He then disbanded his army and went into hiding on Xuan’ao Island in Nantian, Xiangshan County, but was unfortunately captured due to betrayal by a traitor. The Qing authorities tried to persuade him to surrender with preferential treatment, but he firmly refused. In September of the same year, he was executed in Hangzhou, and his remains were buried at the foot of Nanping Mountain. His collected works, "The Collected Works of Zhang Cangshui," have been published. In the 41st year of the Qianlong reign (1776), he was posthumously honored with the title “Loyal and Heroic.” To commemorate this national hero, the residents of Ningbo named the street in front of his former residence Cangshui Street when renovating the roads around Gongyuan Bridge in 1936. The current residence on Cangshui Street is a traditional three-sided courtyard house with a brick gate inscribed with the words “Near the Abode of the Sage” in brick carvings. The main hall and side wings feature two-story structures, all well-preserved. To the west of the courtyard lies a small study where Zhang Cangshui read in his youth. It is a five-bay wooden structure with a flush gable roof, retaining its original windows and doors. The front porch has thick beams and columns, giving it a simple and elegant appearance. There is also a front courtyard planted with flowers and trees. The residence is now open to the public as the Zhang Cangshui Historical Exhibition Hall.

The former residence of Zhang Cangshui has now been converted into the Zhang Cangshui Memorial Hall, displaying his life story and hosting various temporary exhibitions. It is open to the public and serves as a patriotic education base for youths in Haishu District. Visitors can learn history while relaxing and being entertained, purify their minds, and inspire patriotism, contributing to the development and prosperity of Ningbo.

Address: Inside Zhongshan Park, Haishu District, Ningbo City

Type: Memorial Hall

Ticket Information:

Free admission. ID registration required for entry.

Zhang Huangyan (1620–1664) – Minister and literary figure of the Southern Ming Dynasty. Courtesy name Xuanzhu, pseudonym Cangshui. Native of Yin County, Zhejiang. Passed the imperial examination as a juren in the 15th year of the Chongzhen reign (1642). In the 2nd year of the Shunzhi reign (1645), he raised troops in his hometown along with Qian Sule, pledged allegiance to the Prince of Lu in Shaoxing, and was appointed by the prince as a Hanlin Academician and an Imperial Censor of the Board of War. In the 7th year of the Shunzhi reign (1650), after the Qing army occupied Zhejiang and Fujian, the Prince of Lu retreated to the Zhoushan Islands. Zhang Huangyan was appointed Left Vice Minister of War. The following year, he accompanied the Prince of Lu to Fujian, allied with Zheng Chenggong, and led several campaigns up the Yangtze River to strike against Qing forces. The Yongli Emperor was enthroned by the Prince of Gui in southern China… More details about Zhang Huangyan ++