The Western Hills Carved Building is located in Tangli Village, Xishan Town. In ancient times, most transportation in Jiangnan relied on waterways, and Tangli was a well-connected ‘live water’ dock. The original name of the Western Hills Carved Building is ‘Ren Ben Tang’, which means ‘benevolence as the foundation and etiquette as the basis of education’. Covering an area of about 3 acres, it once had five courtyards, seven pavilions, and seven wells, and was built during the Qing Kangxi period, making it a prominent household in Western Hills.
The Carved Building was gradually constructed over time by the descendants of the Xu family during the reigns of Kangxi, Qianlong, Xianfeng, and Daoguang. The main reason why the Carved Building has been passed down to the present is its unparalleled carvings. Upon entering the building, one is immediately struck by the exquisite carvings. The beams, lintels, and long windows are adorned with beautiful wood carvings; the gate towers and walls are made of solemn and heavy brick carvings. In addition, there are more than 3,000 carvings, ranging from large brick carving plaques to small wood carving windows, depicting flowers, birds, fish, and insects, as well as operatic stories, all unique and without repetition. It is very regrettable that many were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Mr. Shi Shuqing, a cultural relic appraiser, once said: ‘It is not an ordinary civilian residence, but has a royal demeanor’. Opening hours are from 08:30 to 16:30 all year round.Preferential policy additional information:
1. Free policy: Children under 1.4 meters (including 1.4 meters) in height enter for free.
2. The above information is for reference only, and the specific details are subject to the public notice at the scenic spot.
3. Preferential policy: Children under the age of 6 (excluding 6 years old) and over 1.4 meters (excluding 1.4 meters) in height purchase preferential tickets; elderly people over 60 years old (excluding 60 years old) can purchase preferential tickets with valid identification; full-time university undergraduate and below students can purchase preferential tickets.
