Luzhou Prefecture Government Office

　　  Luzhou Prefecture Government Office (Sixth Batch National Heritage Site)

　　  Era: Ming Dynasty

　　  Address: Southwest within Changzhi City

　　  Originally built during the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (581–600), it was destroyed by war in the second year of the Yuan Dynasty’s Taiding era (1325). In the third year of Taiding (1326), public offices such as the administration hall were rebuilt. In the third year of the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu era (1370), the Shangdang Gate was reconstructed. In the 31st year of Hongwu (1398), a bell tower was added on the right side. In the seventh year of the Chenghua era (1471), a drum tower was added on the left. It was renovated again in the third year of the Hongzhi era (1490). Another renovation took place in 1932.

　　  The government office faces south and currently retains structures such as the main gate, the bell and drum towers, the second hall, the administrative courtyard, and the West Garden. The main gate and the bell and drum towers are aligned in parallel, standing on high platforms, with clear hierarchy and an elegant layout. The main gate is three bays wide and four rafters deep, with the central bay serving as the entrance, while the side bays feature brick screen walls. It has a single-eave, hanging hip roof. The bell and drum towers are built with brick battlements, arched gateways, and stairways, topped with a structure spanning three bays, featuring a double-eave, hip-and-gable roof. The eastern bell tower is named Fengchi (Wind Rider), and the western drum tower is called Yundong (Cloud Mover), symbolizing their towering reach into the clouds. The towers feature dense bracket sets, giving them a sense of upward thrust and harmony. They are among the most outstanding examples of regional ethnic architectural style from the Ming and Qing periods.