Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence

Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence

Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence is located in Nanxun Town, Huzhou City, and is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. It was built by Zhang Junheng, grandson of Zhang Songxian, one of the “Four Great Tycoons” of Nanxun and a magnate in the Jiangnan region. Also known as Yide Hall, it is one of the rare grand mansions in the Jiangnan area that has largely preserved its historical appearance from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a classic example of an architectural complex that blends Chinese and Western styles. Its unique style, grand structure, exquisite craftsmanship, and architectural essence have earned it the title “No. 1 Civilian Residence in Jiangnan.”

The former residence faces east and fronts the ancient Xunxi Creek. It covers an area of 6,500 square meters, with a built-up area of 7,000 square meters, and includes five courtyards, four sections, and 150 rooms in various Chinese and Western-style buildings.

The residence contains hundreds of halls, chambers, towers, pavilions, and rooms, all interconnected and uniquely distinctive. The gate towers, walls, panels, pillars, shelves, beams, doors, and windows feature thousands of stone carvings, wood carvings, and brick carvings. These are executed with exceptional craftsmanship, ingenious compositions, and refined styles. Whether depicting birds, beasts, figures, or flowers, the carvings are incredibly lifelike, showcasing the pinnacle of late Qing Dynasty Chinese carving art.

In particular, the residence’s decorative elements such as patterned doors and windows, stained glass, and French floor tiles add a rich blend of Chinese and Western artistic and cultural flavors to the mansion.

Zhang Junheng (1871–1927), styled Shiming and also known as the Master of Shiyuan, obtained the title of Juren (successful candidate in the imperial examinations) in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1874). In addition to inheriting the family business in silk and salt, he also established the Shenda Money Shop and Southeast Trust Company in Shanghai, engaging in gold speculation, voting rights, and public education businesses, as well as real estate development.

This man was not only shrewd in business but also had excellent taste in culture and the arts. He had a lifelong passion for stones, hence his style name “Shiming.” He was also an avid collector and enthusiast of calligraphy, paintings, stone inscriptions, and books, maintaining close relationships with many literati and notable figures of the late Qing and early Republican periods, such as Wu Changshuo, Zheng Xiaoxu, Ding Fuzhi, and Mao Fuan.

Zhang Songxian (1817–1892), styled Zhuzhai, was originally from Xiuning County, Huizhou Prefecture, Anhui Province. During the Qing Kangxi era, his family relocated to Nanxun (now Nanxun Town, Huzhou City). Initially, the family made a living by cotton fluffing. His father, Wei Yue, started a business by opening a cake shop near Huajia Bridge in Nanxun, later expanding to a small soy sauce workshop. After the Opium Wars, the family ventured into the business of Jili silk, establishing the Henghe Silk Business in both Nanxun and Shanghai. Within a few years, they became extremely wealthy, making Zhang one of the “Four Great Tycoons of Nanxun.” He built a large residence in the eastern part of Nanxun and a garden at the site of the ancient Dongshu Villa behind the house, naming it Dongyuan, commonly known as the Zhang Family Garden. After amassing wealth through the silk business, witnessing the success of the Gu family in Nanxun and... More details about Zhang Songxian ++

Nanxun Town: Nanxun is a prosperous and culturally vibrant ancient town in the Jiangnan region. Its geographical coordinates are between 120°25′–120°26′ east longitude and 30°52′–30°53′20″ north latitude. Located on the shores of Taihu Lake and bordering Suzhou, it serves as the eastern gateway for Huzhou’s connection to Shanghai’s Pudong area. The town is traversed by the Changhu-Shen waterway and National Highway 318, offering superior geographical conditions and convenient land and water transportation. The total area of the town is 141.3 square kilometers, encompassing 51 administrative villages and 10 residential communities, with a total population of 116,000 and arable land covering 122,500 mu. In 2000... More details about Nanxun Town ++