Liu's Qiushu Li

Liu's Qiushu Li

Liu's Qiushu Li is a cultural relic protection unit of Huzhou City.

Liu's Qiushu Li is located on Nanxi Street, Nanxun Town, Nanxun District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, it is classified as a modern-era significant historical site and representative architecture.

Qiushu Li is a villa built in 1930 by Liu Chenggan, the owner of the Jiaye Hall Library. Liu Chenggan lived a life free from the pursuit of fame and wealth, never aspiring for an official career. Even in his later years when his family fortunes declined, he remained content, hence adopting the name "Qiushu Layman." His book storage place in Shanghai was called "Qiushu Zhai," while his villa in Nanxun was named "Qiushu Li."

In 1920, Liu Chenggan built the Jiaye Hall Library, and to meet the management needs of the library, he expanded Qiushu Li to serve as a residence for himself and his family during their stays in Nanxun, as well as the management office for the library.

Qiushu Li is a typical example of Sino-Western architectural fusion, featuring a structure that combines a gatehouse, a corridor, a Western-style gate tower, a rolling shutter door, a courtyard, and a standalone hall.

Qiushu Li currently hosts a photography exhibition of works by Liu Xucang. Liu Xucang, originally named Liu Chengdong, was a renowned modern Chinese photography artist who once served as the chairman of the Shanghai Photography Association. He was Liu Chenggan’s ninth younger brother, 32 years his junior. One donned traditional long robes and gained fame through antique collecting; the other wore Western suits and made a name for himself in photography. The two brothers each achieved success in their own fields and were humorously referred to as the "Sino-Western fusion" of the Liu family.

At the end of the corridor in Qiushu Li lies a garden villa. The garden is adorned with plants, trees, and Taihu rocks. The main building of the villa is a hall with a blend of Chinese and Western styles. The second floor serves as bedrooms. Opening the south-facing windows allows one to enjoy the view of the garden as well as a distant glimpse of the Liu family’s Xiaolian Manor and the library. There is also a hidden room on the upper level that often goes unnoticed.

In January 2003, Liu's Qiushu Li was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit.