Along the quiet Caohe Street by Zhujiajiao`s Central Canal stands the only surviving post office from the Qing Dynasty, built in 1896—just 20 years after the establishment of China`s Imperial Postal Service. This is not just a museum but an authentic building where the scent of aged wood and antique paper still lingers, as if a clerk in a blue mandarin robe might appear at any moment with his ink brush.
Architecture: A House Full of Secrets
The building stands out among other historic structures on the street:
Two-story brick-and-wood construction with arched windows and a carved scroll-shaped gable typical of the late 19th century.
• Solid stone threshold worn down by centuries of postmen’s footsteps.
• Double walls (to protect against canal moisture),
• A concealed floor hatch (used to store valuable parcels),
• Slanted wooden flooring (to drain rainwater from wet shoes).
• Dimensions: Just 6 meters wide and 12 meters deep—tiny by modern standards but cutting-edge for the 1890s.
History: From Imperial Decrees to Revolution
• 1896: Opened under Emperor Guangxu’s postal reforms.
• 1903: Became the first place in the region to issue "Dragon stamps" (printed in Shanghai).
• 1911: After the Qing fell, it served as a clandestine communication hub for revolutionaries.
• 1950s: Closed but spared demolition thanks to its sturdy walls.
• 2004: Converted into a museum with 90% original features preserved.
The Museum: A Journey Through Time
1. Ground Floor – The Working Post Office
• A recreation of a late 19th-century postal office:
• Oak counter with 1889 parcel scales,
• Iron safe with a mechanical lock (opened only by striking a gong),
• 1901 registry book recording shipments of silk and tea.
• Star exhibit: A 1910s wooden postal bicycle—the region’s first, replacing canal boats.
2. Second Floor – Stamps & Technology
• China’s first stamps (1897–1911):
• "Large Dragon" (purple, with imperial insignia),
• "Bat" stamp (1905, believed to bring luck).
• Soviet and Japanese occupation-era stamps (1930s–40s).
• Working replica of a stamp press—visitors can try printing their own.
3. Basement – Postal Secrets
(Guided tours only)
• Original mailbags with 1900s seals,
• Confiscated 1911 letters (containing revolutionary messages),
• 1898 route map of boat mail paths between Shanghai and Zhujiajiao.
Unique Artifacts
• "Fish Letter": A 1902 carp-shaped envelope (thrown into canals for "express delivery").
• Wax seal of the stationmaster, stamped with "Loyalty to the Emperor."
• Wooden postal clogs for walking wet streets.
Why This Place Is Special
Unlike big-city museums, here you can:
• Touch the very desk where mail was sorted 120 years ago,
• Hear the original 1896 clock still ticking,
• See China’s last surviving "lottery mail" (a Qing-era money-transfer system).
• Pro tip: Visit before 11 AM on weekdays—curator Mr. Zhang (a descendant of postal workers) loves showing off the secret stairwell compartment where 1920s letters were discovered.
The Qing Dynasty Mailbox
Outside stands an authentic 1896 mailbox—one of China’s oldest. This is no replica but a working relic that processed thousands of letters.
• Material: Cast iron with traces of gilding (stolen in the 1920s).
• Design: Pagoda-shaped—the top symbolizes heaven, the slot-bearing base represents earth.
• Lock mechanism: Only the head postmaster had the key; the box was opened daily at 3 PM to a bell chime.
• Carved details: Dragons entwining the characters (Great Qing Post)
