Reconstructing the Past: Architectural Preservation Projects
A look into Liu Guojun’s six former sites, all protected by the Cultural Relics Protection Department in China
Follow the conservation efforts of transforming Liu Guojun's former sites into urban areas
For several decades, the Cultural Relics Protection Department of China’s State Council has been carefully selecting significant cultural and historical sites to be designated as Protection Units. These sites are chosen based on their scientific, artistic, cultural, and historical value. Currently, the list includes 2,348 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, commonly known as “国保” or “全国重点文物保护单位”, which feature renowned landmarks such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. Chinese historical and cultural sites are classified into various protection levels, ranging from national to provincial, city, and county levels, in decreasing order of importance. These sites enjoy legal protection, and any damage or demolition requires approval from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
Level Ranking | Description | Unit | Liu Guojun's Former Site |
National | Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level 全国重点文物保护单位 | National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units |
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Provincial | Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the Provincial Level 省级文物保护单位 | Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Units |
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Municipal | Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the Level of a City Divided into Districts 设区的市、自治州级文物保护单位 | Municipal-level Cultural Relics Protection Units |
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County | Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the County Level 县级文物保护单位 | County-level Cultural Relics Protection Units |
Liu Guojun’s historical and cultural sites protected at various levels
Liu Guojun’s legacy has been preserved through the designation of his former sites as Protection Units. These sites encompass his Shengci Ancestral Home, Qingguo Lane Former Residence, Dacheng No.1 Factory, Dacheng No.2 Factory, Dacheng No.3 Factory, Daming Factory, and the UNESCO-listed Suzhou Couple’s Retreat Garden, all of which have received varying degrees of protection.
This exhibition will display captivating photographs of six of the seven historical locations associated with Liu Guojun. Additionally, it will highlight the commendable conservation work carried out by the Cultural Protection Unit to safeguard these cherished landmarks. Thanks to their efforts, these sites have seamlessly blended with the region’s cultural and tourism offerings while maintaining their industrial and commercial heritage. For a comprehensive tour of Liu Guojun’s Shengci Ancestral Home, consider visiting the exhibition here.
Includes Liu Guojun’s former residence, Dacheng factories, and Daming factory
Tianning District
The Tianning district of the Changzhou Ancient Canal has a history of over 1,300 years. The district derives its name from the nearby Tianning Temple and is integral to the city’s cultural heritage. Tianning has drawn in numerous distinguished individuals throughout the years, making it a renowned tourist destination today. Visitors can witness the breathtaking landscapes, which beautifully fuse small bridges, gardens, and alleys to create a harmonious ambiance.
Location of Liu Guojun’s Former Qingguo Lane Residence, Dacheng No.1, No. 2, and No.3 Factories in the Tianning district of the Changzhou Ancient Canal
Situated on the north bank of Tianning is Qingguo Lane, home to Liu Guojun’s former residence. With almost 80% of the city’s cultural relics, Qingguo Lane has been dubbed the “living fossil of Changzhou’s cultural genes.” For those seeking further exploration, Liu Guojun’s former Dacheng No.1 Factory, complete with his office, can be found on the northwest side of Tongji Bridge. On the southern side lies the well-preserved former Dacheng No.2 and Dacheng No.3 Factories.
The Dacheng No.3 Factory is one of the 15 industrial and commercial heritage restoration projects that have been completed in Jiangsu Province. This factory has now been converted into the “China Textile Expo Park,” which spans over a vast area of 367 acres. However, Dacheng No.1 & No.2 Factories are still undergoing restoration.
In 2014, the Jiangsu Provincial Government designated Liu Guojun’s Former Residence as a Provincial-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Qingguo Lane Former Residence
Qingguo Lane, also known as the “No. 1 Lane of Celebrities in the South of the Yangtze River”, was constructed in 1581 during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The lane has nurtured over 100 renowned figures in the past 500 years, including traditional opera singers, calligraphers, painters, industrialists, and revolutionaries. Among the famous residents is Qu Qiubai, the former leader of the Chinese Communist Party.
Today, visitors can still explore this vibrant alley and its former residences, such as Liu Guojun’s at No. 82-84 Qingguo Lane. The property, named Bagui Hall, features four entrances: the gatehouse, the hall, the living room, and the Sutra Tower, all crafted from hardwood. The spacious hall spans three rooms and includes a pavilion at the back. The left and right passages have brick door frames, and corridors run through the front and back on both sides. Upon entering, you’ll notice a patio adorned with sweet-scented osmanthus. The entire property is enclosed by walls, forming a serene courtyard.
The location of Liu Guojun’s former residence in Qingguo Lane can be identified by a red circle on the map
Changzhou’s Cultural Relics Protection Unit aims to preserve and restore Qingguo Lane and its former residences. As part of their efforts, they have meticulously planned the protection and restoration of Liu GuoJun’s former residence, ensuring that its historical significance is not lost to time. Check out the detailed plan below to learn more about the steps being taken to safeguard this invaluable piece of history.
Distinguished figures once called Baguil Hall home: it was among the eight Tang family mansions, the birthplace of Qu Qiubai, and the former residence of Liu Guojun after the founding of New China
In 2018, the Changzhou Municipal People’s Government designated Former Site of the Dacheng No.1 Factory as a Municipal-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Dacheng No.1 Factory
As you wander through the grounds of the former Dacheng No.1 Factory, you’ll be transported back to a fascinating era in textile history. This factory is a testament to the city’s national industry, having weathered many historical periods before and after liberation. Today, these beautifully repurposed industrial relics serve as a tangible reminder of Changzhou’s rich urban heritage. Originally known as the Dalun Machine Textile Factory, Dacheng No.1 Factory was established in March 1916 and later renamed Dacheng Textile and Dyeing Co., Ltd. It eventually became the state-owned Changzhou No. 1 Cotton Textile Factory.
Dacheng No.1 Factory site is situated in the northwest region near Tongji Bridge in Tianning district. This location encompasses a row of old factory buildings, Liu Guojun’s office, and Qiushi Park, spreading over 5234 square meters. Constructed in the 1930s and 1940s, the office and factory structures are connected and positioned at the east end of the former site. Liu Guojun’s office comprises nine rooms and some attics, with a dormer window on the north side roof that overlooks the factory’s activities behind. The old factory is a single-story industrial building, orientated east and west, and with an internal reinforced concrete structure frame. Both buildings have blue-grey bricks for their exterior walls, which is a hallmark architectural design of the Republic of China.
Photographs of Qiushi Park, past and present. The park retains its original layout, but new features were added to the pond water, waterfront corridor, and water pavilion corridor.
The Qiushi Park is located in the Jinshuian Community, at the center-west of the former factory site. It’s a peaceful place with charming pavilions, small bridges, and flowing water that reflect the typical style of the regions located south of the Yangtze River. The park’s rich history is preserved through the presence of 100-year-old camphor, ginkgo, cedar, and wintersweet trees, all of which were personally planted by Liu Guojun.
In 2013, Dacheng No.1 Factory was listed as one of Changzhou's 39 key historical and cultural projects to repair
In 2018, the Changzhou Municipal People’s Government designated Former Site of the Dacheng No.2 Factory as a Municipal-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Dacheng No.2 Factory
The Dacheng No.2 Factory, previously known as the Guangyi Textile Factory, was founded by Liu Guojun in 1932. It is located at No. 268 Yanling Middle Road in Tianning District, across the river from Dacheng No.3 Factory. The factory complex is a harmonious blend of old buildings and a “Jingyuan” Chinese-style garden. Built-in 1940, Jingyuan served as the residence of Liu Guojun and his family. The garden is adorned with stunning features such as brick gates, pavilions, bamboo shadows, small bridges, and flowing water. The factory building on the northeast side of Jingyuan is an impressive architectural feat, with a grandiose design, spacious second floor, and beautifully carved brick gate towers and corridors.
Dacheng No.2 Factory became the largest manufacturer in the dyeing and weaving industry in Changzhou in the 1930s
In 2011, the Jiangsu Provincial Government designated Former Site of the Dacheng No.3 Factory as a Provincial-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Dacheng No.3 Factory
The former site of Dacheng No.3 Factory is located at 78 Cailing Road, Tianning District, on the bank of the Changzhou Ancient Canal. Built in 1937, the sprawling site is spread across an area of over 6,000 square meters and is recognized as the most extensive and comprehensive architectural remnant of Changzhou’s textile industry during the early Republic of China. It comprises several buildings, including an old gatehouse, factory buildings, a warehouse, a textile museum, a medical office, a health clinic, a dust filter tower, among others.
Dacheng No.3 Factory offers a glimpse into the textile history of Changzhou and Liu Guojun’s textile enterprise empire, with tales of prosperity, sorrow, reform, and development. Nowadays, the site has been completely preserved and transformed into the “China Textile Expo Park,” a cultural and tourism complex aimed to integrate architecture, tourism, art and humanities, public squares, comfortable living, garden offices to the city.
Seen here is a Chinese painting and two recent photographs of the Former Dacheng No.3 factory. Both the painting (on the right) and photographs (on the left) depict the old gatehouse on the river’s edge. The painting shows a flight of stairs connecting the riverside to transport materials easily. Presently, the site is integrated with Republic of China-style streets and residential buildings.
The nearly century-old factory buildings at Dacheng No.3 Factory has been preserved over time, with gray tile brick walls, doors and windows, ventilation holes, and vines adorning the walls, creating cherished memories for generations of locals.
Changzhou Textile Museum and the Hall of Fame are built adjacent to each other. Their themes are related to the textile industry, but each has its own emphasis.
The sawtooth-shaped old factory building covering an area of over 6,000 square meters, has been transformed into the “Changzhou Textile Museum”. It showcases an impressive collection of small loom models and real looms from the past, as well as modern Chinese and foreign textiles, textile art, and fine clothing.
On the left: Exterior view of the Changzhou Textile Museum, with a metal rod avatar portrait of Liu Guojun. On the right: Interior view of the museum featuring a clever display of weaving alongside old artifacts from the Dacheng No.3 factory.
On the left: Sangma Hall of Fame at Former Dacheng No.3 Factory site. On the right: Liu Guojun photographed with his son-in-law, Cha Jimin
The Sangma Hall of Fame is a captivating exhibition that showcases the remarkable success of China’s textile industry. It was transformed from a warehouse. The exhibition features Liu Guojun’s business progression throughout the generations. Visitors can also admire a touching quote that reads, “Love is Sangma, the love of my life.”
The Sangma Hall of Fame has two floors that offer a rich, immersive experience. It delves into the history of Liu Guojun’s entrepreneurship and Cha Jimin’s contributions to the textile industry. Cha Jimin, Liu Guojun’s son-in-law, expanded the textile industry to Europe and the United States before succeeding in real estate. The Hall of Fame continues to celebrate these pioneers’ inspiring stories and groundbreaking achievements.
Includes Liu Guojun’s former residence, Dacheng factories, and Daming factory
Qishuyan District
In former times, Qishuyan district located in Changzhou City was renowned for its robust industrial sector. The district was named after the aristocratic Qi family who lived there during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). However, after merging with Wujin district in 2015, this area has ceased to exist and now only remains as a footnote in history.
Located within the Changzhou Textile Co. Ltd. grounds, the former Daming Factory is to the west of Tianning District, where Liu Guojun’s former residence and Dacheng factories are also situated along the Ancient Canal.
In 2020, the Changzhou Municipal People’s Government designated Former Site of the Daming Factory as a Municipal-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Daming Factory
The former Daming Factory is located at No. 388, Yanling East Road, Changzhou City, and is situated near the Grand Canal in the south. It is now the site of Changzhou Tianhong Textile Co., Ltd that once belonged to the Liu Guojun family.
Originally known as the Limin Yard Factory, it was established in 1921 by Zhang Yunbo, Yang Yizhi, and other industrialists during a time when foreign powers were oppressing the country. Unfortunately, the factory faced financial difficulties, poor management, and sustained damage from bombings by Japanese invaders. These challenges eventually led to its closure, followed by several changes in ownership and name. After the war ended, Liu Guojun returned to his hometown and purchased the Limin Yard Factory. He renamed it the Daming Textile and Dyeing Company and gave it to his eldest daughter, Liu Biru, and son-in-law, Cha Jimin, as a dowry. They skillfully managed the factory, which resulted in its success and gradual expansion over time.
Daming Factory stands as a testament to Changzhou’s textile industry and its rich history. Visitors can marvel at the well-preserved signs, rules, and regulations, as well as business transaction vouchers, personnel files, drawings, manuscripts, and other archival materials. Despite undergoing numerous changes, Daming Factory’s cotton textile products have always been renowned for their quality. Prior to the establishment of New China, Daming Factory utilized waste cotton from other textile factories to create velvet cloth and blankets. Historical records reveal that the factory’s “Our Lady” brand colored velvet fabrics and military velvet blankets were awarded a special prize at the 1928 Paris International Exposition.
In 1947, the Daming Factory was obtained by Cha Jimin and subsequently rebranded as the Dingyan Factory of Daming Textile Corporation, which was commonly referred to as the “Daming Factory”. Seven years later, the factory underwent a public-private partnership and was renamed the Dingyan Factory of the Public-Private Partnership Daming Textile Corporation. However, in 1966, it became state-owned and was given a new moniker, the Changzhou No. 4 Cotton Textile Factory, also known as the “Changzhou No. 4 Cotton Factory”.
On the left: An old photograph of Daming Factory. On the right: A Daming Factory worker taken inside the workshop.
On the left: Aerial view of Daming Factory. On the right: Stone gatehouse entrance of Daming Factory.
Daming Factory has been home to a textile enterprise for centuries. The factory still stands today, including old factories, water towers, laboratories, conference rooms, sanatoriums, and other buildings.
In 2006, Tianhong Textile Group, the world’s largest core-spun textile supplier, acquired the company. The company then changed its name to “Changzhou Tianhong Textile Co., Ltd.”.
The Daming Factory and the Dacheng No.3 Factory are among the 15 fully restored industrial and commercial heritage projects in Jiangsu Province. Daming Factory has since been transformed into the "Tianhong 1921 Creative Park," which aims to promote industrial tourism and cultural creativity.
Pingjiang District
Pingjiang District, located in Suzhou, is a historic area that boasts of the well-preserved Pingjiang Road. This ancient street has been around since the South Song Dynasty, and it provides a glimpse into the ancient Suzhou and its rich culture.
Location of Liu Guojun’s Former Couple’s Retreat Garden in Suzhou’s Pingjiang district
Running parallel to the Pingjiang River, which has existed for 25 centuries, Pingjiang Road stretches 1,606 meters from north to south. Visitors who explore the southern section of the main street will find numerous shops, inns with beautiful decorations, restaurants serving various cuisines, and interesting cafes that showcase the prosperity of Pingjiang Road. On the other side of the river, the lanes offer a peaceful atmosphere, where the river is crossed by several stone bridges that lead to antique lanes, each with its unique features and stories to tell.
In 2001, the State Council designated Couple’s Retreat Garden as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Couple's Retreat Garden
The Couple’s Retreat Garden, also known as Ou Yuan Garden (耦园), is an enchanting location situated in Xiaoxinqiao Lane, surrounded by a river on three sides. In 1941, Liu Guojun purchased the garden and carried out several years of renovation work on it. Upon Liu’s instruction, Tao Shunan, the manager of Zhenya Silk Weaving Mill, donated the garden to Suzhou city in 1955. Since then, it has been recognized as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and listed as a World Heritage site, cementing its status as a globally renowned treasure.
The history of the Couple’s Retreat Garden dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when it was known as She Yuan, the original form of the Eastern Garden. The garden was owned by a military officer named Lu Jin before it was later transferred to calligrapher Guo Fengliang. Unfortunately, during the reign of Xianfeng, it was destroyed due to wars. In 1856-1875 during the reign of Tongzhi, a senior official named Shen Bincheng from Huzhou took ownership of the Garden. He hired Gu Yun to expand it by building the Western Garden in its current form and named it the Couple’s Retreat Garden. The name alludes to a spouse and refers to the Garden’s two parts.
Couple’s Retreat Garden layout plan with labeled locations. Mappings created by Asian Historical Architecture
Shen Bingcheng moved with his family in 1884 after he was appointed as an officer in another province. In 1895, he passed away in the Couple’s Retreat Garden after falling ill and receiving treatment in Suzhou. The Garden was abandoned after his death and became more dilapidated day by day. In 1941, Liu Guojun bought the abandoned Couple’s Retreat Garden and reconstructed it. Unfortunately, the middle hall was destroyed by fire in 1950, and it was not opened to the public until 1980.
Expanding across 7,917 square meters, the garden is divided into West and East sections, with the Middle Mansion in between. With unique buildings, a delicate bridge, and meandering streams, the Couple’s Retreat Garden is a charming oasis. Learn more about the layout of Couple’s Retreat Garden from the academic paper here. For a comprehensive map of image locations, please visit the Asian Historical Architecture photo gallery, which features 42 slides of photographs along with their respective locations.
The complex’s East Garden is the highlight of the entire area, spanning 5.4 mu (0.89 acres). A pond sits at its center, surrounded by a covered walkway that links its structures. The garden’s yellow stone rockery is both spectacular and famous in Suzhou’s garden culture and is reminiscent of real mountains.
The East Garden’s main architecture is a group of pavilions with double-eave roofs arranged for reading. In the center of the main building, ‘Thatched Cottage at the City Corner’ (K) is encircled by a corridor. This corridor connects with the ‘Moon Viewing Platform’ (Q) and ‘My Love Pavillion’ (P), stretching to the south. Its exquisite design features over ten latticed windows of varying shapes.
During the Ming Dynasty, the pavilion’s circular door frame was ornately carved with an openwork picture of the ‘Three Friends in the Dead of Winter’. This is a priceless art treasure found only in classical gardens of Suzhou.
A view of the ‘My Love’ pavilion, located in the East Garden. Source: Ctrip
The West Garden of the ‘Old House with Woven Curtains’ (B) is a beautiful and intricately designed space, divided into three sections: east, south, and north. Despite its modest size, the garden features platforms, lakes, old trees, and limestone mountains with caves. The south of the ‘Old House with Woven Curtains’ is home to these unique mountains and caves. On the east side of the garden, you will find the ‘Heshou Pavilion’, which is designed with simplicity in mind and is established based on the wall. The covered walkway here showcases exquisite latticed windows, a feature that is rare in other gardens in Suzhou.
A view inside the beautiful Couple’s Garden Retreat. Source: Ctrip
The north side of the garden is home to a yard where a “L” shaped ‘Library Tower’ (A), about three rooms wide, is used as a library. The tower is adorned with rocks, trees, and flowers in front and inspires a sense of peace and harmony. The West Garden’s entire design is centered around a small grotto and a library annex, which creates the impression of a couple retreating to the forests and mountains to read and work together.
The Middle Mansion is situated in the heart of the Couple’s Retreat Garden, flanked by the East and West Garden. The central line comprises a hallway, a sedan hall, a lobby, and a balcony, running from the east to the west. The housing complex is connected to the gardens by multi-storied buildings and features four terraces in succession. The lobby was destroyed by fire in 1950 and rebuilt in 1993, now known as “Zaijiu Hall”. The main residence of the owners is located in the wing-rooms on the east and west sides of the mansion. The large courtyard faces the gate of the Couple’s Retreat Garden, and the tracery wall is situated to the east of the courtyard. A circular door, standing to the north of the Garden, adds to the mansion’s grandeur and serves as a reminder of its rich history.
