The memorial is a key historic site under national protection, and a patriotic education base of BeijingMunicipality. It is located in Qianhai West Street, Xicheng District. Opened to the public in June 1988, it is a memorial scenic spot with a profound cultural significance.

Guo Moruo was an outstanding figure in the history of academic studies and culture of China in the 20th century, being a writer, historian, philologist, calligrapher, and social activist. When studying in Japan, he adopted the nostalgic pen name Moruo, a combination of the name of two rivers in his hometown.

He had gone to Japan to study medicine, which he believed might help save China from subjugation. After graduating from a medical college, however, he decided to give up medical practice and devote himself to awakening his countrymen with literature. He wrote an influential collection of free verses entitled The Goddess, and also founded the Creation Society, one of the most important literature societies in the May 4th New Literature Movement. During the Great Revolution (1924-1927), he joined the army in the war against warlords in the north. When the revolution failed, he joined the communist party. After that he took refuge in Japan, where, applying Marxism to studying the history of ancient China, he wrote many essays and monographs on history and philology.

In 1937, he returned to China and joined the war against Japanese invaders. As a leader of propaganda, he wrote a number of historical plays that inspired people to fight on. After the People’s Republic of China was founded, he held such important posts as deputy minister of the Political Affairs Department, president of the China Science Academy, chairman of the National Association of Literature and Arts, deputy chief of the standing committee of the National People’s congress, and deputy chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He was a prolific writer, and his works have been collected in the Full Collection of Works by Guo Moruo.

The memorial used to be the home of the Yue’s, an old and well-known family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, a courtyard-style Quadrangle Dwelling built in the early Republican Period. Between 1950 and 1963, it served first as the Mongolian embassy, and then as Madam Song Qingling's residence. In Nov. 1963, Guo Moruo moved from No. 5 Xisidayuan to this house, where he lived until his death in 1978.

The courtyard is now decorated with lush trees and flowers planted by Guo and his wife. On the lawn stands a full-length bronze statue of Guo co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the National City Planning Panel. Behind the festooned gate, Guo’s office, bedroom, living room and his wife’s study all retain their furnishings. The east and west wing rooms and the flanking rooms in the back house are exhibition rooms with three themes—Guo’s Literary Creation, Guo and History Studies in China, and Guo’s Life Journey—that show his pursuits, academic achievements, and his emotion.

Travel tips:

Location: No. 18 Qianhai West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Admission: 20 Yuan

Open hours:  9:00–16:30

Bus Routes: 111, 107, 118,  13, 701, 850, 810

Telephone: 010-66125984, 66125392

Basic Information and Tourism Project Director

Address: No. 18, Qianhai West Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing

Official Website: http://guomoruo.cass.cn

Liaison: Zhang Yu

Tel: 010-83222523

E-mail: gmrjng@263.net