Linqing Canal Customs
The Linqing Canal Customs comprises a complex of buildings. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Linqing Canal Customs, established in the fourth year of the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644)'s Xuande reign (1429), was elevated to a Tax Division under the Ministry of Revenue in the 10th year of Xuande (1435). Directly overseen by the Ministry of Revenue, Linqing Customs was responsible for tax collection through its five sub-divisions. During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, it collected over 83,000 taels of silver, surpassing the Chongwenmen Customs in Beijing and becoming the leading customs office among the eight major customs offices in the country, accounting for a quarter of the national tax revenue.
A historic building in the Linqing Canal Customs complex. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Linqing Canal Customs features an extensive complex of buildings. Located west of the canal, it includes the Main Customs Office, Goods Inspection Hall, "National Finance and People's Livelihood" Square, Customs Ramparts, Ceremonial Gate, and Main Hall. The compound comprises three courtyards arranged from north to south, with facilities such as passage halls, boat material rooms, and drum casting workshops. It covers an area of 40,000 square meters and consists of over 400 rooms and structures.