No. 1 Yi Yuan Street

No. 1 Yi Yuan Street

No. 1 Yi Yuan Street is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

No. 1 Yi Yuan Street

In the heart of Nangang District, Harbin, stands an elegant European-style building modeled after a classical French mansion, nestled within a tranquil courtyard shaded by trees. This is No. 1 Yi Yuan Street.

Built in 1909, it was originally a luxurious residence constructed by a Polish timber merchant named Gavallis. However, it gained fame as an esteemed residence after being visited and stayed in by our Party's leader, Chairman Mao Zedong, following the liberation. On February 27, 1950, while en route back from his visit to the Soviet Union, Chairman Mao inspected Harbin — marking the only time he visited Heilongjiang Province.

That evening, city and provincial leaders prepared a lavish banquet here to welcome Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou Enlai, and Comrade Ho Chi Minh, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who had arrived together by train. However, the leaders did not touch any of the local delicacies, choosing instead to eat only vegetables and rice. After the meal, Chairman Mao said to Mayor Rao Bin: “Our country is still very poor, and the people are living hard lives. We must not be extravagant. Eating rice and vegetables is just fine!” The next day, at the unanimous request of the city and provincial leaders, Chairman Mao inscribed five mottoes respectively for the Provincial Party Committee, the Municipal Party Committee, and the Second Harbin Youth League Congress: “Do not be tainted by bureaucratic practices,” “Study,” “Strive,” “Develop production,” and “Study Marxism-Leninism.” He also inscribed the masthead for the Songjiang Daily. The city and provincial leaders hoped that Chairman Mao would write more, but he responded: “It’s great if you can achieve these things!” It was the only time in his life that Chairman Mao inscribed five mottoes at once. These precious inscriptions are still on display today at the Revolutionary Leaders' Visits to Heilongjiang Memorial — No. 1 Yi Yuan Street.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units