Yujiang County Yamen

Yujiang County Yamen

Yujiang County Yamen is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Yujiang County Yamen is located on Central Street in Jinjiang Town. Originally built during the Song Dynasty, it was constructed and destroyed multiple times between the Yuan and Qing Dynasties, and was renovated again in the sixth year of the Republic of China. The yamen faces southwest and is situated to the northeast, constructed with stone, brick, and wood. It spans 59 meters in width and 82 meters in depth, covering an area of 4,838 square meters. The main hall features a hanging gable roof with a post-and-lintel and bracket-arm construction system. It is covered with green tiles, featuring glazed tile drips. The walls are made of red stone, and the floors are paved with red stone slabs. The entire yamen complex originally consisted of six courtyards in sequence: the main gate, ceremonial gate, corridor pavilion, main hall, flower hall, and residential quarters.

Yujiang County Yamen is one of only two relatively well-preserved ancient county yamens remaining in Jiangxi Province. Nestled against a mountain and beside a river, the yamen boasts a majestic presence, with the inscription “Jade True Mountain stands behind it, while Cloud Brocade Stream flows in front,” reflecting its excellent location. Behind the yamen are scenic spots such as Jade True Terrace, Jingde Hall, and Willow Shrine with cypress hues. To the east are historic sites including Laozi’s Elixir Pool and Immortal-Inviting Pavilion. To the west in front of the yamen stands the Cloud Brocade Tower, built during the Northern Song Dynasty by then-county magistrate Cui Tongheng, offering a view down over the Jinshui River and a distant gaze toward Lipu Ridge. By day, the sails of boats drift slowly by; at night, fishing boats dot the water with their lights. From the front of the yamen, both near and distant scenic views are within sight. Hu Qiyuan, a poet and local scholar of the Qing Dynasty, wrote the poem “Rushing Waters of Jinshui,” dedicated to the beautiful scenery visible from the yamen.

On September 15, 1987, the People's Government of Yujiang County listed Yujiang County Yamen as one of the first batch of county-level cultural relic protection units. On November 6, 2005, the People's Government of Yingtan City listed the Ancient County Yamen of Yujiang County as one of the first batch of municipal-level cultural relic protection units. In March 2018, it was announced as part of the sixth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units in Jiangxi Province.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units