Zhili Governor-general’s Office – the Qing Dynasty in Miniature

The ancient city now conserves 72 yamens (feudal government offices in China). Among them the Zhili Governor-general’s Office is the best preserved – a microcosm of the Qing Dynasty, full of rich historical connotations.

First built in 1729 (seventh year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign), this was the office of the top military and administrative official in Zhili province. In operation for 182 years, 74 governors served 99 terms here, all notable officials of the imperial court such as Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, and Yuan Shikai. Among them, Li Hongzhang served the longest, for 25 years, also controlling the internal and foreign affairs of the Qing imperial court.

The 3,000-sq.m. complex was built according to the exacting architectural regulations of the Qing Dynasty. The main buildings are along a central axis, including the imperatorial main hall, the solemn second hall, the elegant official residence, and garden-like main quarters.

In the imperatorial main hall, a symbol of the feudal authority, the governor conducted major administrative activities and grand ceremonies. At the solemn second hall, the governor met officials from other locales and reviewed cases. The governor handled daily government affairs and examined documents at the elegant official residence. The garden-like main quarters held the living quarters of the governor-general and his family.

An adage recalls, “A Governor-general’s office tells half of Qing Dynasty history.” This expression is apt in describing the profuse historical materials this office imbues.

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