Former Residence of Imperial Commissioner Liu

Former Residence of Imperial Commissioner Liu

The Former Residence of Imperial Commissioner Liu is a cultural tourism attraction.

Former Residence of Imperial Commissioner Liu

Imperial Commissioner Liu refers to Liu Ruifen, an official of the Qing Dynasty, whose former residence is at No. 14 Yinggaofang Lane.

The Former Residence of Imperial Commissioner Liu is said to have originally been the mansion of Hu Dahai, a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, it was purchased by Liu Ruifen and is now inhabited by his great-grandson, Liu Huai. The residence originally had ninety-nine and a half rooms, with winding corridors and an exquisitely arranged layout. Walking inside, one feels as though entering a maze. There are currently six courtyards remaining, covering an area of 3,000 square meters, with a built-up area of 2,390 square meters, two of which are fairly well-preserved. The main gate remains in its original condition, with a threshold almost a foot high and two large, solid doors. The carriage hall is spacious—it was converted into a sales office for a state-owned grain station, now stacked with equipment and grain supplies, yet still not feeling confined. The first section of No. 14 was originally a flower hall and is now a residence. The second section of No. 14 is a five-bay horse-riding style building with an intact structure. The third and fourth sections of No. 14 are three-bay buildings that have aged in appearance. The fifth section of No. 14 has been reconstructed into a new house. This property is now designated as a cultural relic protected site by Nanjing Municipality.

The homeowner, Liu Ruifen, styled himself Zhitian, and was from Guichi, Anhui. He was born in the seventh year of the Daoguang reign (

in 1827), and held positions such as at the Armament Transport Bureau and the Songhu Tax Bureau. In the second year of the Guangxu reign (1876), he served as acting Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai, and in the third year as acting Military Defense Circuit Intendant of Suzhou, Songjiang, and Taicang. He participated in Sino-Russian negotiations, and in the eleventh year was appointed as an imperial commissioner to Britain, Russia, and other countries. In the twelfth year, he was dispatched as an imperial commissioner to Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium, hence earning the title “Imperial Commissioner Liu.” In the fourteenth year’s winter, he was appointed Governor of Guangdong, and in the seventeenth year served as supervisor for provincial examinations. He eventually passed away from overwork and an aggravated liver condition in the eighteenth year (1892), at the age of 66. The Former Residence of Imperial Commissioner Liu is one of the renowned mansions along the Qinhuai River, and Liu Ruifen has a biography featured in the Draft History of Qing.

Liu Street, located in the mountainous southern area of Guichi, derived its name from the contiguous settlements of the prominent Liu family, with houses lined up close together, their eaves interlocking to form a street. Since ancient times, influential families often produced officials and scholars. Liu Ruifen, a diplomat and notable official, was born into a distinguished family in Liu Street.

Liu Ruifen, styled Zhitian and also known as Huzhao Wo, was born in 1827 in Nanshanliu Village, Liu Street, Guichi, during the seventh year of the Daoguang reign. He was intelligent and studious. In the first year of the Xianfeng reign (1851), he passed the local imperial examination to become a scholar (xiucai), but failed the provincial examination the following year. He then set up a private school in his hometown, teaching students while studying the “Four Books” and “Five Classics” in preparation for retaking the provincial exam. During this time, the Taiping... [Liu Ruifen detailed information++]