The Former Residence of Natong

The Former Residence of Natong

The Former Residence of Natong is a cultural relic protection unit of Tianjin.

The Former Residence of Natong

Era: 1920s

Address: No. 176 Xinhua Road, Heping District, Tianjin

Category: Important Modern Historical Sites and Representative Buildings

Natong (1857–1925), courtesy name Qinxuan, was a member of the Yehe Nara clan and belonged to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner. He initially served as a principal clerk in the Ministry of Revenue during the Qing Dynasty and was appointed Minister of the Zongli Yamen in 1900. After the Eight-Nation Alliance captured Beijing, he was ordered by Empress Dowager Cixi to remain in the capital as an acting minister and, together with Yi Kuang, Zaize, and others, participated in negotiations with the foreign powers. In 1902, he was appointed Acting Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1906, he was granted the title of Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall. In 1909, he was appointed as a Grand Councilor. After Yi Kuang established the Cabinet in 1911, he was appointed as Minister of the Cabinet. He had no children of his own and adopted a son from his younger brother’s family. He maintained close ties with the British Legation in Tianjin and purchased this property here, where he also acquired a set of Western-style furniture. The large building was demolished in 1981. The small building faces Xinhua Road to the east, Nanjing Road to the south, Hebei Road to the west, and Yantai Road to the north. It is a two-story European-style mansion with a construction area of 700 square meters, forming its own enclosed courtyard. Natong mainly resided here after his retirement. The building is currently in good condition.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Tianjin