Gaochun Jixuan

Gaochun Jixuan

Gaochun Jixuan was the residence of Zuo Tingcheng, a native of Yixian (a scholar and historian from Tongcheng during the late Qing and early Republican period who participated in the reprinting of the *Tongcheng Continued County Annals*).

It is located on Gongyuan Road in the ancient city of Tongcheng, connected to the Tongcheng Confucius Temple, and was built in the ninth year of the Republic of China (1920). It is a typical example of traditional Tongcheng architecture, consisting of two parts: the "Xuan" (pavilion) and the "Lou" (building). The Tongcheng School Exhibition Hall is housed here.

The "Lou" (building) is the main structure, standing 7.4 meters high, with front and rear sections built in parallel, each comprising five bays. Each bay of the front section is 5.7 meters long and 3.7 meters wide, covering an area of 172.5 square meters; each bay of the rear section is 6.7 meters long and 3.7 meters wide, covering an area of 191.25 square meters. Between the two sections, 4.8-meter-high gable walls connect the sides, forming a rectangular courtyard that is 12.8 meters long and 3.35 meters wide. Both the front and rear buildings are wooden structures with internal and external corridors, known as "horse-riding corridors." The corridor railings on the upper floors feature bottle-shaped wooden pillars adorned with carved floral and bird motifs, while the room dividers are made of bamboo-woven mud walls. The windows consist of skylights above and large lattice glass windows below.

The "Xuan" (pavilion) has only one section, located to the west of the building and integrated with the rear section, connected by a single door. It covers an area of 69.6 square meters and is divided into four bays, each 5.8 meters long and 3 meters wide. The east, west, and north sides have corridors on both the upper and lower levels, while the south side features an openwork gable wall that encloses a small courtyard measuring 5.2 meters by 5 meters. A "vase-shaped" moon gate is set in the wall, with a stone plaque inscribed with the name "Gaochun Jixuan" embedded in it. The courtyard contains flowers, plants, and ornamental rocks, embodying the classic charm of a Jiangnan-style garden. On the west side of the courtyard stands a pavilion-style wooden staircase building, a semi-hexagonal structure that leads to the upper floor, breaking the symmetrical layout of traditional architecture and creating a uniquely charming feature, commonly known as the "Guanyin Pavilion."

Wenchang Subdistrict: Wenchang Subdistrict is located in the southwestern part of Tongcheng’s urban area and serves as the seat of the municipal Party committee and government. It is the political, economic, cultural, and educational center of Tongcheng. To the northeast, it borders Longmian Subdistrict along the Longmian River; to the west, it connects with Huangjia Town; and to the south, it neighbors Fangang Town. The subdistrict covers an area of 55.08 square kilometers, including 16,121 mu of cultivated land. It governs seven villages, four communities, and two neighborhood committees, with a total population of 61,300, including 23,256 agricultural residents. In 2008, its fiscal revenue was 38.83 million yuan, making it one of Tongcheng’s key economic hubs.

Wenchang boasts a rich cultural heritage,... More details about Wenchang Subdistrict++

Further reading:

· The Seventh Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Anqing City