Xiangguo Well

Xiangguo Well

The Xiangguo Well is a protected cultural heritage site of Hangzhou.

The Xiangguo Well is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Huansha Road on the north side of Jiefang Road.

According to the Qian Dao edition of the Lin’an Annals, the well was dug during the reign of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty (763–779 AD) [while the Xianchun edition of the Lin’an Annals states it was dug during the reign of Emperor Dezong (780–805 AD)] by Li Mi, the Prefect of Hangzhou. As Li Mi once served as a prime minister, later generations built the Xiangguo Shrine next to the well, hence its name — Xiangguo Well.

Since the establishment of the prefecture in the Sui Dynasty, Hangzhou had gradually developed, and by the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, its population had reached over 86,000 households. The urban area of Hangzhou evolved from a shallow coastal bay into land, and its groundwater was brackish and undrinkable, making access to drinking water a major issue that severely hindered the city’s development. After Li Mi became the Prefect of Hangzhou, he mobilized laborers to install sluice gates from Yongjin Gate to Qiantang Gate, dig channels in the ground, and line them with bricks and stones to form conduits, bringing water from West Lake into various parts of the city. He also set up six outlets, namely: West Well, Golden Ox Pool, Square Well, White Turtle Pool, Small Square Well, and Xiangguo Well, collectively known as the “Six Wells.” Over time, the latter five wells gradually disappeared, leaving only the site of the Xiangguo Well. In 1980, excavation and cleaning of the well site revealed that its walls were constructed with layered stone slabs in a diamond pattern, and inscriptions were found beneath the well. The current well curb, stone railings, and commemorative stele of the Xiangguo Well were all newly built during the 1980 restoration. Although the well is situated close to Jiefang Road in a busy commercial area and no longer serves any practical function, it stands as one of the important physical testimonies to the evolution of Hangzhou.

Protected Area: Approximately 5 meters beyond the stone railing on the east, south, and west sides, and about 3 meters beyond the stone railing on the north side (to the outer wall of the existing building to the south), covering a total area of 119 square meters.

Construction Control Zone: Approximately 5 meters beyond the protected area on the east, south, and west sides, and about 30 meters beyond the protected area on the north side (to the outer wall of the existing building to the north), covering a total area of 984 square meters.