The Residential Complex on Canfu Street

The Residential Complex on Canfu Street

The Residential Complex on Canfu Street is a cultural heritage site protected by Yangzhou Municipality.

The Residential Complex on Canfu Street

Located at Nos. 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, and 90 on Canfu Street, these were private residences of the Zhao, Gao, and Cao families in the early Republican period. Nos. 70, 72, 74, and 76 belonged to the Zhao family, featuring five courtyards in total, all with a "three bright and five hidden" symmetrical design and connected front and rear courtyards. Nos. 78 and 80 were the residence of Gao Zhensheng, consisting of two courtyards with a "three bright and five hidden" layout. Nos. 86–90 belonged to the Cao family. Two courtyards remain, also in a "three bright and five hidden" layout with east and west wing rooms and front and rear courtyards. A garden once existed to the north of the residence but was later destroyed. A boundary stone inscribed with “Qingyu Hall Boundary” is embedded under the eastern gable wall of the first courtyard. Hong Weifa, a renowned modern Chinese writer, historian, and literary critic, once rented a residence at No. 72 Canfu Street. Hong Weifa (1900–1970), also known as Bingyan, with the courtesy names Shiliang (or Shiliang) and the pen name Tiange, was a native of Yangzhou. He was a member of the Creation Society and acquainted with Cheng Fangwu and Yu Dafu. In 1925, he co-edited the magazine "Flood" with Zhou Quanping, publishing numerous novels, poems, essays, and prose. His works include "Cao Zhi and His Poetry," "Discussions on Classical Poetry," "Stories of Zheng Banqiao," "Biography of Liu Jingting," "Weifa’s Essays," "On Literati," "Selected Stories of Chinese Literati," "Studies on Quatrains," "Studies on Regulated Verse," and "Methods for Learning Mandarin." No. 82 was built during the Republican era. Its owner, Tian Ye, styled himself Yueqiu and used the pseudonym Fufu Jisang. He graduated from the Medical School of Shandong University and later obtained a qualification to practice in the United States. After graduation, he worked at a hospital in Qingdao before opening his own practice. On the eve of the Anti-Japanese War, he moved to Yangzhou and successively opened the "Tianye Clinic" on Nanliuxiang, Jushixiang, and Canfu Street, specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics. He gained a considerable reputation and was elected as a council member of the Jiangdu County Medical Association and a county senator. Between 1948 and 1949, he practiced medicine in Shanghai, often treating foreigners and conversing directly in English. After the liberation of Yangzhou, he returned and resumed his practice. In 1950, he joined the Yangzhou Physicians' Advancement Association. He was later employed by the Subei Workers’ Hospital as the head of the medical department. A small Western-style house remains today, featuring three bays, built with brick and wood.

Further Reading:

· List of the Fourth Batch of Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Yangzhou