Beijing, an ancient city, has long been a gathering place for social elites, with many revolutionaries and cultural celebrities leaving their mark here. Their former residences not only witness the trajectories of these celebrities' lives but also showcase the imprints of history. As the new semester begins, let's visit the homes of celebrities, get up close to the details of their lives, and experience the bygone days.
Memorial Hall of Qi Baishi Former Residence Memorial Hall
Number 13 Yuer Hutong was the residence arranged by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Mr. Qi Baishi after the founding of the People's Republic of China. However, due to his longing for his previous home, he didn't stay long and moved back shortly thereafter, and this place was transformed into the Qi Baishi Memorial Hall.
In the courtyard of the memorial hall sits a bronze statue of Qi Baishi, crafted with exquisite copper-casting techniques. Standing at 1.95 meters tall, the statue was specially created by the renowned sculptor Wu Weishan, adding a strong historical atmosphere to the former residence.
In each corner of the courtyard stands a tree: a crabapple, a pomegranate, and two magnolias, all carefully selected and planted by Mr. Qi Baishi himself. As the seasons change, they present different views; in early spring, the garden is filled with fragrance, and in summer and autumn, it is abundant with ripe fruits.
While the master's former residence may seem ordinary, it exudes ingenuity in its details. For example, the plaque hanging under the eaves of the main house was penned by the famous painter Wang Mingming. Additionally, exquisite carvings adorn the bricks and tiles, and the walls inside the house display calligraphy by renowned masters. Especially eye-catching is a couplet handwritten by Qi Baishi himself on the wall near the entrance: "Great fortune begets wealth and honor, longevity knows no bounds."
The main roomin the northern wing has been restored to include a living room, studio, and bedroom, furnished with antique furniture and adorned with photos depicting Qi Baishi's daily life, faithfully recreating the interior of his former residence. Meanwhile, the east and west wing rooms have been transformed into exhibition halls showcasing Qi Baishi's artworks, high-quality replicas, textual exhibits, and multimedia presentations, vividly displaying Qi Baishi's creations and his colorful life.
Address: No. 13 Yuer Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Beijing Lu Xun Museum
The Beijing Lu Xun Museum was established on the basis of Lu Xun's former residence in Beijing. In the spring of 1924, Mr. Lu Xun purchased a courtyard house at No. 21 Xisantiao Hutong, near the Gate of the Palace. He lived here for two years until August 1926, when he left for Xiamen University to teach. It is the most complete preserved residence of Lu Xun in Beijing to this day.
During his stay here, Mr. Lu Xun completed three essay collections, including The Huagai Collection, The Huagai Collection: Continued and Wild Grass, as well as some articles in "Hesitation , Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk , and The Tomb. He also published works such as A Brief History of Chinese Fiction andHot Wind. Furthermore, he presided over the editing of weekly magazines such as Yu Si and Mang Yuan.
On October 19, 1949, the 13th anniversary of Lu Xun's death, the former residence was officially opened to the public. In March of the following year, Mr. Xu Guangping donated the former residence, Lu Xun's collections, and artifacts to the state free of charge. In early 1954, an exhibition hall was established next to the former residence. On October 19, 1956, the 20th anniversary of Lu Xun's death, the Lu Xun Museum was officially inaugurated and opened to the public.
From 1950 to the present, the Beijing Lu Xun Museum has collected more than 30,000 artifacts and collections, including over 700 national first-class cultural relics. Among them, there are 21,258 relics belonging to Lu Xun. These relics include manuscripts, letters, diaries, translations, edited and collated ancient manuscripts, scrolls with inscriptions, as well as collections such as books, Han portrait tiles, and rubbings of tomb epitaphs.
Address: No. 19 Gongmenkou 2 Tiao, Fuchengmennei Dajie (St), Xicheng District, Beijing
Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum
The Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum was established in October 1986 and is a typical Siheyuan courtyard, originally part of the Prince Qing's mansion in the late Qing Dynasty. In 1951, the outstanding Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang moved in and spent the last ten years of his life here.
The museum is divided into the main and outer courtyards. The main courtyard preserves the original appearance of the residence, including the reception room, living room, study, and bedroom, where Mei Lanfang lived and worked. The interior furnishings are displayed in their original layout. The east and west exhibition halls host thematic exhibitions, with updated content periodically. The outer courtyard houses the "Mei Lanfang Life Exhibition," showcasing Mei Lanfang's artistic and social life through a large number of precious photos and materials.
Outside, visitors can admire the " Illustrated Collection of Peking Opera for Mei Lanfang's US Visit." In order to promote Chinese opera abroad and help American audiences better understand Chinese Peking Opera, Qi Rushan, on behalf of the National Opera Institute, invited painters to draw costumes, facial makeup, and anything that could be depicted in pictures, annotated in both Chinese and English, and compiled into a collection of illustrations. This is the "Illustrated Collection of Peking Opera for Mei Lanfang's US Visit."
Address: No. 9 Huguosi Jie(St), Xicheng District, Beijing
Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling
The Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling is situated at No. 46 North Bank of Houhai. This site originally belonged to the garden of Prince Zai Feng (Chunqinwang), the father of the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin Gioro Puyi. It was part of Prince Chun's mansion, later known as the Prince Regent's Mansion, along with the buildings on the east side. As early as the Kangxi period, it was initially built as the Mingzhu Mansion. During the Qianlong period, it was converted into He Shen's villa. During the Jiaqing period, it was renamed Cheng Wang Mansion, and in the 14th year of Guangxu's reign, it became Prince Chun's Mansion.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Communist Party and the government planned to construct a residence for Soong Ching-ling in Beijing. However, she declined repeatedly, prioritizing national affairs. Later, Premier Zhou Enlai personally planned to utilize this royal garden, renovating the old structures and constructing a new two-story main building.
Inside the garden, there are winding blue waters, rugged rocks, a variety of flowers and trees, and lush greenery. Pavilions and halls are scattered throughout, blending seamlessly into one, creating a tranquil and elegant courtyard. Soong Ching-ling moved here in April 1963 and lived, worked, and studied until her death on May 29, 1981. In October of the same year, the site was officially named " Soong Ching-ling Comrade's Former Residence of the People's Republic of China Honorary Chairman" by the state and was opened to the public on May 29 of the following year.
The Original Display Exhibition preserves the place where Soong Ching-ling lived, worked, and studied for 18 years in its original state, including a small living room, a small dining room, a bedroom cum office, a study, a small kitchen, and recreational chess sets.
The Life Exhibition of Soong Ching-ling showcases her life, including over 300 historical artifacts. The exhibition is divided into 12 sections, including Mr. Sun Yat-sen, aspirations for learning, solidarity in difficult times, inheriting the will, unity in resisting aggression, welcoming the dawn, outstanding leadership, caring for the people, messenger of peace, creating the future, national treasure, and continuing the cause.
Address: No. 46 North Bank of Houhai, Xicheng District, Beijing
Guo Moruo’s Former Residence
Guo Moruo's former residence was originally a garden of He Shen during the Qing Dynasty, later used as a fodder yard and stable for the Duke Gong's Mansion. Guo Moruo moved in here in October 1963 and lived here until his death on June 12, 1978. Guo Moruo spent the last 15 years of his life here.
Upon entering the courtyard gate, you will see a small hill surrounded by pine and cypress trees, lawns, and ginkgo trees. In the spring of 1954, praying for his wife's speedy recovery from illness, Guo Moruo specially transplanted seedlings from the Dajue Temple in the outskirts of Beijing to his residence in Xisi. In 1963, he transplanted them to this courtyard, naming it the "Mother Tree," symbolizing maternal love. Guo Moruo's seated statue is placed in the grass area north of the "Mother Tree."
Between the outer courtyard and the inner residence, there is a beautifully carved veranda gate. Entering through the gate, there are five main rooms and four side rooms in the courtyard. The east wing was originally the office of a private secretary, and the west wing was originally the residence of children. Currently, the rooms on both sides of the east and west wings and the rear cover room serve as exhibition rooms showcasing the life of this poet, scholar, and cultural warrior, as well as his achievements in literature, history, archaeology, and translation.
Address: No. 18 Qianhai Xijie, Xicheng District, Beijing
Mao Dun Former Residence Memorial Hall
Mao Dun's former residence is a two-courtyard Siheyuan, covering an area of 878 square meters. The Mao Dun family moved to this small courtyard in 1974, and for the next six years, until his final moment, Mr. Mao Dun lived here.
In the front courtyard of the former residence, the northern room, which was once the bedroom for Mao Dun's children, is now the first exhibition hall of the museum. The east wing originally the kitchen and dining room, is now the second exhibition hall of the museum.
The first exhibition hall features photos and artifacts related to Mao Dun's student days, the May Fourth period, the Northern Expedition period, and before and after his involvement with the "League of Left-Wing Writers," including editions and manuscripts of his works during these historical periods.
The second exhibition hall showcases photos, manuscripts, and artifacts from the period after the founding of the People's Republic of China until his death, including most of Mao Dun's works and creations published after the founding, such as "The Complete Works of Mao Dun,""Selected Works of Mao Dun," and "The Road I Have Traveled," as well as translations into various languages.
Mr. Mao Dun arranged his bedroom, reception room, and study in the rear courtyard , which is very small, with a depth of about 5 meters. The three main rooms are covered by eaves and are arranged in sequence from the east: a bathroom, bedroom, reception room, and study. In the last few years before his death, due to difficulty walking, he was unable to go to the study to write, and thus all reading and writing were done at a table in the bedroom.
Address: No. 13 Houyuan’ensi Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing
