Taicheng Red Building

Taicheng Red Building

The Taicheng Red Building is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Red Building is one of the oldest and one of the few relatively well-preserved Russian-style buildings in Tacheng, with a history of nearly 100 years. Currently, it serves as the office space for the Tacheng Daily and is a regional-level cultural heritage site.

The Red Building was built in 1910, the second year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty, by a Tatar businessman of Russian origin named Jermazan Kanishev. Covering an area of 885 square meters, it has two floors, comprising 16 rooms of various sizes. It features a ceiling and wooden flooring, a metal roof, and door and window frames adorned with exquisite patterns. The exterior walls facing the street are all light red in color, hence earning the name "Red Building."

After its completion and opening for use, Jermazan Kanishev operated a large-scale business dealing in local specialties and import-export trade here. It became the hub of import-export commerce in Tacheng at the time, even attracting many businesses from Dihua (now Urumqi) to set up agencies here.

In 1933, Sheng Shicai had Jermazan Kanishev arrested on trumped-up charges, and the Red Building was confiscated and repurposed as a hospital. During the Three Districts Revolution, it was returned to its original owner. Shortly after taking over the Red Building, Jermazan Kanishev’s son donated it to the government, which continued using it as a hospital. Later, it was successively repurposed as the office building of the regional administrative commission, a guesthouse, and office space for certain agricultural departments under the regional administration. In 1985, it was allocated for use as the office of the Tacheng Daily.

In recent years, many domestic film and television directors have traveled specifically to Tacheng to feature it on screen, allowing millions of viewers to witness its charm. Many out-of-town tourists also visit Tacheng and come here especially to see this landmark.

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units