Former Residence of Yao Guang

Former Residence of Yao Guang

The former residence of Yao Guang is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai Municipality.

The former residence of Yao Guang is located at No. 139 Xinhua Road, Zhangyan Town. It was built before the 17th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1891) and features the typical architectural style of the late Qing and early Republican periods, with a courtyard layout symmetrically arranged along a central axis. The residence was home to Yao Guang, the second director of the Southern Society, and also functioned as a hub for communication, meetings, and exchanges among Southern Society members at the time. Whether in terms of its historical and artistic architectural value or as a historical record of the activities of Yao Guang—an important member of the Southern Society—this site holds significant preservation value. Yao Guang (1891–1945), also known as Hou Chao, with the courtesy name Fengshi, literary names Shizi and Fulu, was a native of Zhangyan and the nephew of Gao Xie. He began his schooling at the age of seven, was capable of writing essays by the age of 11, and entered Qinxian Shiméi School at 15. At 17 (1907), he enrolled in Aurora University in Shanghai but had to drop out a few months later due to serious illness, after which he continued his studies independently at home. He dedicated himself to reading, collecting, and writing books. He produced works almost every year, maintaining this practice throughout his life. Whenever he completed a piece, he would seek feedback from his uncle, forging a close teacher-student bond with Gao Xie and developing a particularly deep friendship.

The former residence of Yao Guang was the home of a prominent family in the Jiangnan region, consisting of four courtyards from the front to the rear, including four two-story buildings with five bays each, plus wing rooms and single-story houses. Constructed with brick and wood, it exhibits the classic architectural style of the late Qing and early Republican periods. The carved wooden lattice work and classical charm, along with a high surrounding wall along the roofline, give it an imposing appearance. In the backyard stands a century-old osmanthus tree that remains vibrant. Yao Guang was a bibliophile who called himself a “book addict” and even carved a personal seal that read “book addict.” He went to great lengths to collect various ancient texts and documents, amassing a rich private library. In 1931, together with relatives of the Gao family, he pooled funds to purchase dozens of original Ming Dynasty literary collections and local chronicles, spending a total of 25,000 taels of silver. Among them, the Chongzhen edition of the “Songjiang Prefecture Annals” is the only known copy in China. In 1938, he also purchased the rare “Huánxī Jí” (Collection of Huanxi) by Shen Kai of the Ming Dynasty at a high price—it was also the only known copy in the world (the National Library of China only holds an incomplete version). He also acquired precious local historical documents such as the diary of Zhang Xiaoshan and manuscripts by Gu Shang, all of which are rare treasures. In 1950, following Yao Guang’s wishes, his sons Yao Kunqun and Yao Kuntian donated all the family’s books to the government and signed the donation agreement on the spot. Staff from the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Committee spent several days cataloging over 50,000 volumes stored in the “Fulu” residence in Zhangyan. The books were packed into 283 boxes and 61 burlap sacks, then transported to Shanghai on seven chartered boats. At the time, Mayor Chen Yi spoke highly of their actions and wrote an article titled “Words of Tribute for Mr. Yao Shizi of Jinshan on His 60th Birthday Celebration” in recognition.

The Southern Society was a nationwide cultural organization founded in the early 20th century, led by democratic revolution enlightenment thinkers and men of letters, and composed mainly of patriotic intellectuals, with the primary goal of overthrowing feudal dynastic rule. The exhibits showcase the glorious history of the Southern Society, along with inscriptions by figures such as Wu Po-hsiung, leaving an unforgettable impression. They inspire deep respect for the dedication and spirit of self-improvement and pursuit of independence demonstrated by these pioneers.

The former residence of Yao Guang was designated as a district-level cultural heritage site in 2004 and was elevated to a municipal-level cultural heritage site in 2014.

Yao Guang (1891–1945), also known as Hou Chao, with the courtesy name Fengshi, literary names Shizi and Fulu, was a native of Zhangyan Town. Coming from a family with a long tradition of scholarship, he was part of a prestigious clan in Jinshan. In the first year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1909), he became one of the founding members of the Southern Society and co-established the “Guoxue Shangduihui” (Society for the Discussion of Chinese Studies) alongside Gao Tianmei, Gao Cuwan, and Liu Yazi. In the 7th year of the Republic of China (1918), after Liu Yazi stepped down as director of the Southern Society, Yao Guang was elected to succeed him. After taking office, he organized a literary gathering at Shanghai’s Xuyuan Garden. Facing a shortage of funds for the society, he personally financed the publication of the 20th and 22nd volumes of the “Nánshè Cóngkè” (Collected Works of the Southern Society). Hence, there is a saying: “Before there was Liu Yazi, and after... More details about Yao Guang ++