Hejiang Examination Shed

Hejiang Examination Shed

The Hejiang Examination Shed is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

The Hejiang Examination Court (commonly known as the Examination Shed) is located at the west gate of the county town, covering an area of 1,743 square meters with a built-up area of 1,026 square meters. It is an ancient building with distinctive characteristics of southern Sichuan. The Examination Court, also called the Examination Shed, was a dedicated venue for the county-level imperial examinations (i.e., preliminary tests) during the Qing Dynasty and is a product of the imperial examination system. The Hejiang Examination Court was built in the 11th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1832). The complex faces southwest and is located to the northeast, laid out in a traditional quadrangle. Along the central axis are, in sequence, the main gate, the passageway pavilion, the ceremonial gate, the corridor, and the Hall of Confucius, with the east and west examination halls on either side of the axis. Though weathered by time, it remains relatively intact today and is one of only two surviving examination courts in Sichuan Province, holding significant architectural and historical value.

According to historical records, the county-level imperial examinations in Hejiang were held in February, presided over by the county magistrate who served as the chief examiner, with the test venue located at the Examination Court. The county exams consisted of five sessions, each lasting one day, with results (the list of successful candidates) announced after each session; the number of admissions decreased progressively with each session. Test papers were graded by the magistrate, although he often delegated this task to external secretaries. The candidates who passed the fifth session were registered by the county office and recommended to the county education officer, who then submitted their names to the Luzhou prefect for participation in the prefectural level examinations.

Protective boundary: The area extends 5 meters beyond the perimeter of the Examination Shed.

Construction control zone: The area extends 10 meters beyond the protective boundary.