Beijing, also known as the “imperial capital”, where people of unusual talent are to be found. Some of them have been written in history books, some have been written in Chinese textbooks, and some are on TV. Where did they live in Beijing? How do they usually work and live? Let’s have a look at the famous residences of celebrities.
1. Residence of Song Ching Ling
Song Ching Ling has worked tirelessly for world peace, the propagation of progressive culture, social progress and human happiness.
The Former Residence of Song Ching Ling was the house in the park of Hekun during the Qianlong period. It became the palace garden of Yongxing prince in Jiaqing years. Later, the palace garden was for Guangxu’s father, and in the late Qing Dynasty, it was the garden of the Prince Regent.
Song Ching Ling moved here in April 1963 and worked and lived here until her death on May 29, 1981.
There is a two-story building from the Ming Dynasty called the South Building on the south side of the South Lake. There are 23 protected ancient trees in the park, among which Begonia is ranked among the “Ten Most Beautiful Trees” in Beijing.
Address: No. 46 Houhai Beiyan, Xicheng District, Beijing
2. Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall
There are three Cao Xueqin Memorial Halls in China, and the one in Beijing is where Cao Xueqin lived in his later years.
Cao Xueqin lived a wealthy life during his childhood, but his family began to decline later, so he worked as a teacher for a living. In his later years, he moved to the Western Hills, where he began his creative work.
The museum displays the study where Cao Xueqin wrote a Dream of Red Mansions, the discovery of Cao Xueqin’s life experience and some inscriptions which reflect the relationship between the Cao family and the Xiangshan area.
Address: Xiangshan Wofosi Road, Haidian District, Beijing (inside the Beijing Botanical Garden).
3. Ji Xiaolan Former Residence
Bronze Teeth was once a popular TV series and the “Yuewei Cottage” in the TV series attracts many people.
There was a plaque of “Yuewei Cottage”, but it was taken away by the Zhili Hall. Nowadays, the plaque of “The Old Site of Yuewei Cottage” written by Qi Gong is hung instead.
In 1931, Mei Lanfang, Yu Shuyan, Li Shizeng, Zhang Boju and others established the Beijing National Opera Society there, which later became the site of the “Fuliancheng” Peking Opera Training Class.
Today, there is a “Review of the Wen Xin Diao Long”, the “Notes on Yuewei Cottage” and the Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain donated by Ji Qing Yi, the sixth granddaughter of Ji Xiaolan.
Address: No. 241 Zhu Shi Kou West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
4. Luxun Former Residence
Lu Xun lived in this small quadrangle courtyard in Beijing from May 1924 to August 1926.
The interior of the house is maintained in its original state. This is the best-preserved former residence of Lu Xun in Beijing.
On October 30, 1923, Lu Xun bought this small courtyard. Since the six rooms were very dilapidated, the only way was to renovate them. In order to save money, Lu Xun personally drew three reconstruction drawings of the house. Lu Xun borrowed money from his friend to buy the house at that time, and the loan was not paid off until 1926 when Lu Xun went to Xiamen to work as a teacher.
Address: No.19 Fuchengmen Inner West 2nd Alley, Xicheng District, Beijing (inside Beijing Lu Xun Museum)
Translated by ZOU Mengzhao
Edited by LIU Yu
