Former Site of the Government-Run Model Primary School (First and Second Level)

Former Site of the Government-Run Model Primary School (First and Second Level)

Former Site of the Government-Run Model Primary School (First and Second Level)

Era: Built in 1906 (the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty)

Address: No. 2, Zhongying Qianjie, Former Ximenli Street, Nankai District, Tianjin City

Category: Important modern historical site and representative architecture

The former site of the Government-Run Model Primary School (First and Second Level) is situated on Zhongying Qianjie, inside the former West Gate of the old city of Tianjin. It is one of the earliest primary schools established in Tianjin. Since its establishment in 1906, the school has a history of a hundred years. The original campus covered an area of 10,395.56 square meters, with a building area of 7,613.45 square meters. It featured elegant corridors surrounding the campus, uniquely designed courtyards, and shady trees. The school buildings were single-story structures built with blue bricks and tiled roofs. The upper eaves of the corridors were adorned with carved wooden patterns, demonstrating exquisite artistry. There were originally three courtyards. The overall architectural layout faced south, with the main buildings serving as classrooms, while the east and west wings were used as office spaces.

Before the expansion of Zhongying Primary School, the original building area was 7,613.45 square meters, and the total land area was 10,395.56 square meters. There were three courtyards, with the main buildings serving as classrooms, while the east–west auxiliary rooms along the passageways were used as teachers’ offices. The structure was a combination of brick and wood. The campus was quaint, surrounded by corridors, featuring uniquely designed courtyards and shaded trees such as wisteria, pine, cypress, and poplar. The architecture was simple and classic, with detailed brick carvings, precisely aligned blue bricks, and exquisitely crafted corridor eaves featuring delicate wooden ornamentation. The craftsmanship was outstanding, and all roofs were covered with blue tiles, with decorative brick carvings on the ridges. In the autumn of 1942, the Zhusheng Pavilion was built and named after the courtesy name of the school’s founder, Mr. Liu Baoxi. A full-body marble statue of Mr. Liu Baoxi was erected inside the pavilion.

Zhongying Primary School pioneered compulsory education in Tianjin and even across China, and was one of the earliest Western-style schools in Tianjin. Over the past hundred years since its establishment, the school has been recognized as a key elementary school during various periods. It has nurtured a number of notable individuals from various sectors of society, including Liu Zijiu, Ren Zhongyi, Bian Huixin, Zhu Xianyi, Jiao Juyuan, and Gong Wang. The school has drawn attention from all walks of life. Today, it remains a key primary school in Nankai District, as well as a model institution for compulsory education and quality-oriented education in Tianjin.