Ming and Qing Dwellings in Baipu Town

The Ming and Qing Dwellings in Baipu Town line both sides of Xiucai Lane and Market Street within the millennium-old ancient town of Baipu, to the west of the Tongyang Canal. They preserve the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the enduring charm of ancient local culture.

Within this complex, 26 households featuring well-preserved ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing eras remain intact, covering 40 structures with a total of 142 rooms. The construction area spans 3,672 square meters, while the total land area reaches 5,540 square meters. Representative buildings include the Gu Family Residence, Shuangqing Hall, the Former Site of the Military Truce Negotiation Group of the Kuomintang, Communist Party of China and the United States (American Presbyterian Mission), Double-Hall House, Scripture Chanting Tower, the Shen Family Mansion (residence of Shen Qi), Grand Gate Compound, an ancient pawnshop, a traditional money exchange house, an old opera stage, vintage entrance halls, and Baochun Hall on Market Street.

Winding quiet lanes crisscross the entire residential cluster. Serving as a miniature of bygone ages, the complex records the history of Baipu and bears witness to its education, culture, politics, trade and commerce dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. A masterpiece embodying the extraordinary wisdom of local people in that period, it boasts great historical significance.

It was designated a Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Jiangsu Province in 2006.