When it comes to ancient Chinese literature, one has to mention The Dream of the Red Chamber. The author of this book, Cao Xueqin, spent most of his life in Beijing. There are many "relics" related to Cao Xueqin in Beijing today, so have a look!

Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall

The Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall, located in the former Zhengbaiqi Village in the eastern part of the Xuanqiu Garden of the Beijing Botanical Garden, showcases the life of Cao Xueqin and the scenes he described in The Dream of the Red Chamber. The beautiful natural environment and special landscape in the area of Cherry Gully gave Cao Xueqin the inspiration to create the book.

Qinpu Academy in the Memorial Hall is the first bookstore in China that focuses on the theme of The Dream of the Red Chamber, with a selection of books related to The Dream of the Red Chamber. The bookstore has a number of peripheral products of The Dream of the Red Chamber, such as the calendar and the bookmarks. It is also the home of the only post office of The Dream of the Red Chamber in China. Here you can buy The Dream of the Red Chamber themed postal products or enjoy postal services.

There are also towers, river walls, ancient wells from the Qing Dynasty, and private houses that maintain the pattern of the Qing Dynasty camp in the surrounding area. These relics and the environment of the old houses blend with each other, reflecting the customs and folklore of the Xiangshan area in the early Qing Dynasty.

Statue of Cao Xueqin

There is a 7-meter-high statue of Cao Xueqin by the river of Empress Dowager Xiao. He gazes at the Grand Canal, which connects his homeland of Jiangnan. The Guimeng Pavilion, located on the north bank, has a pair of couplets inscribed by Mr. Feng Qiyong, a master who studies The Dream of the Red Chamber.

In Zhangjiawan Museum, people can experience the culture of Redology across time and space through intelligent technology such as LCD splicing screen, multi-channel digital immersion projection, narrative light relief wall, virtual character dialogue and 3D digital ancient city.

Caoshi Mark

The landscape is located in Zhangjiawan Park. Combined with a lake in the forest, the landscape reflects the cultural connection between Cao Xueqin, Zhangjiawan and the Grand Canal through a quiet countryside space with different cultural landscapes.

The center of the landscape is dominated by water scenes of the lake area, connected by trestle bridges in the middle. A large number of scenic walls and windows in the main square on the north side tell the story of Redology and the life of Cao Xueqin through poems and hollow carvings.

Dance Drama Cao Xueqin

For a more vivid understanding of Cao Xueqin, you might want to check out the dance drama Cao Xueqin being staged at the NCPA Opera House from March 2 to 3! The show presents not only the great beauty of The Dream of the Red Chamber, but also the great love of Cao Xueqin. The dance drama leads people into the life, emotions and spiritual world of Cao Xueqin. Enter the pinnacle of literature, The Dream of the Red Chamber, and appreciate the influence and vitality of traditional Chinese culture that penetrates history and space.