Former Residence of Tangna

Former Residence of Tangna

The Former Residence of Tangna is a cultural tourism attraction.

Less than a hundred meters westward along Cang Street from the eastern end of Huxiangshi Lane is the former residence of Tangna. Locals in Suzhou never refer to it as "Tangna’s Former Residence" or "Tang’s Residence," but rather as "the young master of the Ma family inside the Ma Family Gate."

In fact, Tangna was not surnamed Tang; his given name was Ji (or Ji) Liang, and he was born in 1914 inside the "Ma Family Gate" on Huxiangshi Lane. This talented scholar from Suzhou in the early 20th century gained fame in literary circles in the 1930s for his film and theater reviews published in Shanghai newspapers. Today, he is more widely known for his tragic love affair with the "Red Capital Empress," a powerful figure in Chinese politics at the time. Perhaps even Tangna himself could not have imagined that this Qingdao woman named Lan Ping would have such a profound impact on his life, overshadowing all other brilliant aspects of his existence, to the point where he eventually had to leave his homeland and died in exile.

The current residence was officially designated by the Suzhou Cultural Relics Management Office in October 2003. Prior to that, the residence had been home to various residents. The main central axis of the old house features a stone gate wall, followed by the entrance hall, sedan hall, main hall, upper floor hall, and backyard garden. Side wings flank the central axis. Beyond the side wings lie the east and west sections, as well as the east and west flower halls, painting studio, study, music room, and servant quarters, largely preserving the layout of a Ming or Qing dynasty residence.

The property was passed down through the Ma family, but as the family grew, it was divided among different branches. It is said that by the time of Tangna’s grandfather, the two brothers split the large mansion in two: the eastern part went to the younger branch, while the central axis and western part remained with Tangna’s grandfather. Later, when Tangna’s father and his three brothers divided the ancestral property into four, the Ma family had already become a smaller household within a once-prominent family, and their fortunes gradually declined.

Tangna (1914–1988), born in Suzhou, was originally named Ma Jiliang, also known as Ma Jiliang, Ma Jiliang, and Ma Yaohua. After working in film criticism in Shanghai, he began using the pen name Luo Ping. Tangna was one of the most frequently used and influential of his pen names. He passed away in Paris in 1988 due to lung cancer at the age of 74.

During his school years, he wrote film and drama reviews that were published in newspapers such as the Morning Post and Shen Bao, gaining considerable recognition. He participated in the film critics' group led by Xia Yan, later joined Diantong Film Company as a screenwriter and actor, and served as the editor-in-chief of Film Pictorial. Later... More details about Tangna++

Historic District Community: Located in the northeast of the ancient city in Pingjiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, the Historic District Community stretches from Xiangmen River in the east to Pingjiang River in the west, and from Zhongzhangjia Lane in the south to Guanyuan Garden in the north, covering a total area of 0.4 square kilometers. The community is home to over 3,400 households and more than 9,000 residents. The area boasts a rich collection of cultural relics and a strong historical atmosphere, including the World Heritage Site Couple’s Retreat Garden, cultural heritage sites such as the Opera Museum, Pingtan Museum, Pan Mansion, and the former residence of the notable figure Tangna. It also retains many historic urban features such as canals, small bridges, alleys, ancient residences, memorial archways, ancient trees, and old wells, all showcasing the charm of “small bridges, flowing water, and… More details about the Historic District Community++