Duanliang Hall

Duanliang Hall

Duanliang hall, located in Suzhou Huqiu scenic area, is the second Mountain Gate of Huqiu. It was listed as a provincial cultural relic protection unit in 1961. It was built in the Yuan Dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years. Because the ridge rafters are joined by the left and right sections, and the whole hall is not fastened by metal components, and only uses bamboo and wooden nails, it is famous, reflecting the wisdom and superb skills of the ancient Han working people. It is a precious heritage of Chinese ancient architecture.

Configuration

Its shape structure is single eaves Xieshan style, its eaves end contour, it is from the middle two columns, gradually rising to both sides, forming an arc curve, giving people a sense of lightness.

Cultural legend

According to Suzhou folklore, in the Yuan Dynasty, the emperor issued an imperial edict to Suzhou local officials to build a gate in Huqiu. When all the work is ready and they plan to go to the main beam, the craftsmen suddenly find that the big wood used to be the main beam is used as the top beam and sawed in two. As the deadline was drawing near, it was impossible to find another timber for the main beam. The old craftsman "sailuban" tried every means to build the broken beam hall, which was finally completed on schedule.

Of course, it's just a folk story, which can't stand scrutiny and textual research. In Suzhou area alone, there are two Duanliang halls built in Yuan Dynasty: one is the second Mountain Gate of Huqiu, and the other is Xuanyuan palace in Dongshan (rebuilt in 1338). In other words, it is impossible for the craftsmen of the two construction sites to saw the main beam wrong. After careful analysis, the techniques of Bodhisattva roof, chessboard, Pipa crane and bucket arch are used in the construction of this broken beam hall, which plays the role of jacking force and lifting force and shares the pressure of the roof on the beam. Although they are two buttresses, they are still very strong. This gate reflects the intelligence and superb skills of the ancient working people.

Address: No.2 Mountain Gate of Huqiu, north end of Huqiu Road, Gusu District, Suzhou

Longitude: 120.57988903307

Latitude: 31.333821307419

Tel: 0512-65323488

Ticket information: no ticket required. The ticket of Huqiu scenic spot has been included.

Chinese PinYin : Duan Liang Dian