Xiaolian Manor

　　Located by the Partridge Creek in the southern part of the town, it was constructed in the 11th year of the Guangxu reign (1885) by Liu Jing and his second son, Liu Jinzao, taking a total of forty years to complete, finishing in 1924. The manor was named "Xiaolian" ("Little Lotus") in admiration of the "Lotus Manor" built by the Yuan and Song dynasty painter Zhao Mengfu.

　　Covering an area of 17,399 square meters, including a lotus pond of 5,267 square meters, the manor has a built-up area of 3,809 square meters. It is mainly divided into an outer garden and an inner garden.

　　The outer garden centers around a ten-mu (approximately 1.65-acre) lotus pond. The inner garden features a rockery ensemble made from Taihu rocks. The entire landscape is exquisitely designed with unique craftsmanship, incorporating pavilions, towers, broad terraces, and hills by the water. Each structure forms its own scenic view, where boundaries between scenes are fluid, and the inner and outer gardens seem separated yet connected, arranged harmoniously to create poetic charm.

　　Stele Corridor: Located to the west of the lotus pond and built along the eastern wall of the ancestral temple. The corridor showcases steles in regular, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts, all demonstrating exceptional calligraphy, elegant literary style, exquisite carving, and is considered a rare treasure combining both historical and artistic value.

　　The corridor walls are inlaid with collections such as "Calligraphy from the Wisteria Hall" and "Poetry from the Plum Blossom Immortal Hall."

　　Among them is the "Calligraphy Collection," which received high praise from Japanese scholars who inscribed it with compliments, marking a fine example of cultural exchange between China and Japan. There is also a collection engraved in the 16th year of the Jiaqing reign (1811), featuring poems and letters exchanged between Xu Dayuan (also known as Shanmin, a native of Lili, Wujiang, Jiangsu) of the Hanlin Academy and over twenty literati and scholars.

　　Another piece is titled "Preface by Magistrate Liu of Yanping," written in running script by Liu Yong, known as the "Old Man with a Crooked Back" or "Prime Minister Liu." The stele also bears an imperial seal reading "Bestowed by the Emperor" on its upper margin, bringing together the two “Lius” from north and south—quite an interesting tale in the annals of history.

　　Jingxiang Poetry Grotto: Built in the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign (1897), it has a square hall design, facing the ten-mu lotus pond to the east and adjacent to the stele corridor to the west. The grotto features latticed windows that are bright and airy, with gracefully arched beams. In summer, when lotus blossoms outside the windows and a cool breeze wafts through, visitors can enjoy tea and admire the lotuses, experiencing a sense of being far from worldly bustle and returning to simplicity.

　　The most ingenious part of the "Jingxiang Poetry Grotto" is the ceiling inside, consisting of one shaped like an ascending form and the other like a bamboo hat—hence it is also commonly called the "Ascending Hat Hall." This uniquely designed structure is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in China. As the ancients said, “No grand caisson ceilings are used except in the residences of royalty.” This space reflects the luxury and noble status of the Liu family. It was once a place where the owners invited literati to compose poetry and engage in refined gatherings.

　　Fan Pavilion: Named for its shape, which resembles an open fan both inside and out.

　　The entire design is unique and exquisitely crafted. The ceiling, architraves, and lintels are richly decorated with fine craftsmanship. Inside the pavilion are stone carvings of four sides of the "Brief Record of the Liu Family Charity Hall," written by Liu Jinzao in 1925, primarily recounting the construction history of the Liu family ancestral temple, pavilions in the garden, the Liu family private school, and other structures built between 1888 and 1922, as well as the establishment process of the charity hall (which allocated silver and properties in places like Qingpu and Jiaxing as endowment funds, using rental income specifically for family ancestral worship, disaster relief, and education).

　　Imperial-Gifted Memorial Arches: Built during the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty. One is the "Arch of Benevolence and Charity," and the other is the "Arch of Chastity and Filial Piety." They were erected following multiple imperial decrees by the Guangxu and Xuantong emperors, commending the Liu family's charitable disaster relief efforts and the virtues of female chastity and filial piety, and approving the construction of memorial arches to honor them.

　　The arches are 8.5 meters tall and 5.6 meters wide, in the form of gate towers with five stories and four pillars, featuring rich and exquisitely carved designs. They depict traditional opera themes such as "The Number One Scholar," "King Wen Seeking Virtuous Men," "Three Stars Shine Bright," "Liu Hai Playing with the Golden Toad," and "Wu Song Fighting the Tiger," as well as auspicious motifs like dragons, phoenixes, lions, qilins, bats, and exotic flowers and plants—all of which hold high architectural art value.

　　Dongsheng Tower: Also known as the "Young Lady’s Tower," it is the only building in Xiaolian Manor that combines French architectural style with Chinese pagoda elements.

　　Built in the 1920s, it stands east-west by the pond. From its height, one can enjoy a panoramic view and watch the sunrise. It served as a leisure and summer retreat for the Liu family, especially favored by female members who often gathered there, hence the name "Young Lady’s Tower."