Guo Moruo's former residence is located at No. 18, Qianhai West Street, next to Shichahai, and is a two-entry courtyard covering an area of more than 7,000 square meters. Guo Moruo moved in here in November 1963 and spent his later years here until he died in 1978.

The courtyard of Guo Moruo's former residence is full of green trees, birds singing and flowers, and pleasant air. Today, the flowers planted by Guo Moruo in the garden are lush and verdant. Guo Moruo's office, bedroom, living room and Mrs. Yu Liqun's office in the Chuihua gate are still the same. 

The rooms on both sides of the east and west wings and the back room of the courtyard were once used as conference rooms, secretaries' offices and family houses, and are now turned into exhibition rooms. Taking his life as the main line, the exhibition tells the story of Guo Moruo's 86-year stormy life in pursuit of ideals. He served the country with his body, breathed with the times, and shared a common destiny with the country.

The north room of the courtyard is the original showroom. In the middle is Guo Moruo's living room. The sofa is arranged in a horseshoe shape, and the background behind the sofa is a masterpiece by the famous Chinese landscape master Fu Baoshi. Underneath this landscape picture, a row of stones that he likes is displayed, with natural shapes and charms.

The east side of the living room is connected to Guo Moruo's office. A row of bookcases is lined along the western wall, and above the bookcase hangs Mao Zedong's authentic work "Xijiangyue Jinggangshan". Opposite is Guo Moruo's wife Yu Liqun's Lishu Zhongtang, recording Mao Zedong's words "Qinyuan Spring Snow". A small door on the east side of the office leads to the bedroom: the green lattice sheets make the cottage appear simple and peaceful.

Between the north room in the front row and the back hood room is a small courtyard that is narrow from north to south and long from east to west. In spring, the colors of the courtyard change constantly: yellow primrose forsythia, pink Xifu begonia full of branches, scarlet begonia, graceful peony, especially the February orchid all over the ground.

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

Tickets: 20 RMB

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00-16:30 (Last admission at 16:00)

The museum is routinely closed on Mondays

Translator: BAO Minmin

Reviewer: LIU Yu