Former Residence of Shen Baozhen

Former Residence of Shen Baozhen

The former residence of Shen Baozhen is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

The former residence of Shen Baozhen is located at No. 11 (now No. 26) Gongxiang Lane, on the north side of the western section of Gongxiang Lane. Originally built during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty, it has changed ownership several times. During the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was purchased and renovated by Shen Baozhen, then serving as the governor of Jiangxi Province, and now serves as the residence of his descendants.

It is a Ming Dynasty-era residential building, facing south with a northern orientation, surrounded by firewalls, covering a total area of 2000 square meters. The central axis of the building runs from south to north and includes, in sequence, the entrance hall, main hall, principal residence, and library tower.

On either side of the front gate are tall horse-head walls. The entrance hall is five bays wide, with a depth supported by three pillars, using a post-and-lintel wooden frame structure, with a double-sloped roof, and a central partitioned screen door in the entrance room.

The second section is the main hall, featuring a post-and-lintel frame with reduced columns, and a double-sloped roof.

In front of the hall is a spacious courtyard, surrounded by corridors (displaying ceremonial plaques). At the center of the hall hangs a black-framed, gold-character couplet that reads: “Poetry and rites pass down through the family; literature and writing bring honor to the nation.”

The third section consists of the principal residence, which is five bays wide and seven pillars deep, using a post-and-lintel wooden frame structure, with a double-sloped roof.

It is divided into front and rear halls. The front hall features a central couplet that reads: “Brothers in harmony make a wealthy home; virtuous descendants make a great clan.” The left and right wing rooms are also divided into front and rear sections.

The rear hall leads, via a turtle-back pavilion, to a two-story library tower. There are small courtyards and corridor rooms on either side of the pavilion. Connecting the sections are turtle-back pavilions overhead, and each section has small doors on the eastern side connecting to the former residence of Lin Congyi. Each section is separated and protected by firewalls. To the sides of the central axis, there are additional auxiliary structures such as flower halls, studies, and kitchens, all enclosed within their own courtyards and separated by dividing walls.

On both sides of the front and rear corridors of the principal residence, there are small doors leading to the auxiliary buildings. The doors, windows, panels, as well as the brackets and carvings on the frames, are all simple and orderly.

Built during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1621–1627), it has changed ownership many times since.

It came into the possession of Shen Baozhen during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1862–1874).

In 1988, it was designated as a district-level cultural heritage site.

In 1996, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site.

In 2006, as part of the “Three Lanes and Seven Alleys and Zizhufang Architectural Complex,” it was listed as part of the sixth group of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites.

Shen Baozhen (1820–1879), originally named Shen Zhenzong, with the courtesy names Youdan and Han’yu, was a Han Chinese from Houguan, Fujian (now Fuzhou, Fujian). He was an important statesman in the late Qing Dynasty, known as a politician, military strategist, diplomat, and national hero. He was one of the founding figures of China’s modern shipbuilding, shipping, and naval development. He was also the son-in-law of Lin Zexu, a Qing official known for resisting foreign aggression.

In the 11th year of the Xianfeng era (1861), Zeng Guofan invited him to the Anqing military camp and entrusted him with significant responsibilities. In the 13th year of the Tongzhi era (1874), Japan, citing the stranding of Ryukyu fishermen in Taiwan,… [More details about Shen Baozhen]

Nanjie Subdistrict: Located in the central-western part of Gulou District. It is bordered by Bayi 7th North Road to the east, adjacent to Dongjie Subdistrict; to the south it faces the foot of Wushan Mountain, neighboring Antai Subdistrict; to the west it extends to Xiaoliu and Henan New Village, bordering Hongshan Town; and to the north it is bounded by Hujie Road, Xiannan Road, and Yangqiao Road, adjacent to Huada Subdistrict and Guxi Subdistrict. It covers an area of 1.56 square kilometers, with 16,000 households and a population of approximately 50,000. The subdistrict office is located at No. 28 Huangxiang. In 2000, the area had 338 collective enterprises and 1,147 individual businesses. It includes the communities of Wenru, Nanjie, Taxiang, Nanhou, Anmin, Mingshan, and Yi… [More details about Nanjie Subdistrict]