By Yuling Chen, EDITOR

Chongqing- After climbing over a hillside from a construction site next to Hong’en Temple Forest Park, you will see an ancient architectural complex in downtown Chongqing. Let’s explore the story behind the restored cultural relic unit on Jianxin West Road.

Zheng’s Courtyard

 Zheng’s Courtyard with Black Bricks and Grey Tiles in Qing Dynasty

Pushing the gate open, the first thing in front of you is the primitive courtyard, with a centuries-old wooden lobby, columns, and walls. Between the foyer and dooryard is a theatrical stage, featuring a single-eave hill-like roof and column-and-tie construction. In the middle of the theatrical stage is a caisson ceiling, with exquisite carvings underneath.

Inside of  Zheng’s Courtyard

According to a staff of Jiangbei District Cultural Relics Administration Office, Zheng’s Courtyard is a cultural relic protection unit that was relocated and restored in 2013, with a building area of 1,689 square meters. The front yard of the quadrangle was built in the late Qing Dynasty and faces southwest. The backyard was built at the beginning of the 20th Century. “The whole building, including its pillars, walls, and carved decorations, was relocated and rebuilt here in 2013. It has important historical, scientific and artistic values and provides valuable materials for the study of Qing Dynasty dwellings in Chongqing.”

Toutang Posthouse, Well-Preserved Ancient Posthouse in Downtown Chongqing

The placenames in Chongqing sound interesting, and the historical role of Toutang Posthouse is also very important. The Toutang Posthouse is restored according to the ancient architectural style, with black bricks, wooden walls, and grey tiles. It is the only intact ancient post house in downtown Chongqing.

Zheng's courtyard

Posthouses were important transportation hubs in the Qing Dynasty. Jiangbei District borders the Yangtze River and Jialing River, with dense docks, thus giving it an advantage of developed water transportation. Ancient roads, therefore, became a link between water wharves and the northern and eastern parts of Sichuan Province, providing a resting place for business travelers in all ages.

Wooden structures

Source: CQCB