Ruyili Residential Buildings

Ruyili Residential Buildings

The Ruyili Residential Buildings (Qiaoxi Residential Buildings) are situated in Ruyili, Gongchenqiao Subdistrict, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, southwest of the Gongchen Bridge. They extend from the northern section of Qiaoxi Straight Street in the east to Jixiang Temple Lane in the west.

The buildings on both sides of Ruyili consist of approximately 30 two-story wooden residences, spanning 30 meters in length and 3 meters in width, with single-story wooden auxiliary structures at the rear. The residential area is enclosed by earthen firewalls. Access to the homes requires passing through gates within these firewalls, giving the impression of a grand entrance from the outside. When the Hangzhou Customs was established on October 1, 1896, these buildings were used as offices for customs staff. During the Japanese invasion of Hangzhou in 1937, houses and trees along the canal were largely destroyed, but the Ruyili residences survived. Today, the entire architectural complex retains much of its original appearance.