Shuyin Tower is the only relatively complete large-scale Qing Dynasty building remaining in downtown Shanghai. It is said to have been built by Shen Chu, the educational commissioner of Jiangxi Province during the Qianlong period (1736-1795). Later, it was purchased by the owner of the Guo Wanfeng shipping company, and his descendants have lived there until now. Shuyin Tower covers an area of more than 2,000 square meters and has a construction area of more than 1,000 square meters.
It is also the only private residence listed as a cultural relic protection site in Shanghai. To this day, Shanghai local chronicles still record that this tower was built by Shen Chu, the deputy chief editor of the Complete Library in Four Treasuries during the Qianlong period and a second-place scholar on the same level as Ji Xiaolan. Perhaps people are misled by Shen Chu’s inscription on the plaque of ‘Shuyin Tower’. Tracing back to the source and finding the real owner who built Shuyin Tower, what emerges is a truly hidden famous garden – the ‘Rishe Garden’ known as having ‘Thirty-six Scenes in Shanghai’. The elegance of the ‘hermit’ still remains. Shuyin Tower, together with Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo and Jiaye Hall in Nanxun, is known as the ‘Three Major Book Collection Buildings in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing Dynasties’.Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:30 to 16:00.
Must-see tips: You can make an appointment in advance before visiting.
