The Chen Residence in Shitang

The Chen Residence in Shitang

The Chen Residence in Shitang is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

The Chen Residence in Shitang is located in Shitang Town, Wenling City, dating back to the Qing Dynasty and the Republican era.

The Chen Residence in Shitang is the most representative cluster of stone houses in the ancient town of Shitang. Originally named the Old House of Chen Helong, it was built by Chen Helong, a prominent local fish merchant in the late Qing Dynasty, and is arguably the most luxurious residence in Liruo Village.

According to the "Genealogy of the Chen Clan from Langya – Biography of Chen Helong", Chen Helong was born in the early years of the Tongzhi reign, and died shortly before the War of Resistance Against Japan. He was a descendant of Fujian fishermen. This is evident from the couplet at the entrance: “Our virtuous heritage traces back to East Lake, where thrift and diligence have been upheld through generations; our new branch extends to Ru’ao, where righteousness and rites are passed down in family tradition.” The Chen family originally migrated from Huidong East Lake in Fujian. In its heyday, Chen Helong “amassed great wealth through three generations of well-managed shipping ventures,” purchasing land, setting up pawnshops, and investing in banks, eventually becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the area. Thus, he was able to “build homes against the mountain and dwellings over the sea.” Experts have called the Chen Residence “a model of coastal fishing village residences in southeastern China.”

On January 7, 2011, it was designated as part of the sixth batch of cultural relic protection units of Zhejiang Province.

Shitang Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Wenling City. Established as Shitang Town in 1950, converted into a commune in 1958, reinstated as a town in 1959, and expanded in 1992 with the inclusion of four villages from Shangma Township. Located in the southeastern part of the city, at the southern tip of Songmen Peninsula, it consists of one peninsula and ten islands and reefs, featuring steep cliffs and deep harbors, and lies 27.2 kilometers from the municipal government. Covering an area of 15 square kilometers with a population of 38,000, it is traversed by the Linshi Highway leading to the port and is home to a national first-class fishing harbor. The town administers Liushuikeng, Huanhai, Haiyang, Cusha, Shanshatou, Changzheng, Changhai, Qingfeng, Gui'ao, San suan, Qianjin, Zhongshan, Xincun, Zhongxin, Haibin, Xin dong... More details about Shitang Town ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Zhejiang Province