Former Residence of Xu Shizhang

Former Residence of Xu Shizhang

The Former Residence of Xu Shizhang is a protected cultural heritage site of Tianjin.

Former Residence of Xu Shizhang

Era: 1921

Address: No. 122 Munan Road, Heping District, Tianjin

Category: Important Modern Historical Site and Representative Architecture

Xu Shizhang left his post in 1922 following the downfall of Xu Shichang and soon moved to reside in Tianjin. During his time there, he served as a board member of Yaohua Middle School, chairman of the College of Industry and Commerce, and chairman of the East Asia Wool Textile Company, and extensively collected cultural relics and calligraphy and paintings. After his death in 1954, his family, in accordance with his will, donated all of his collections, including ancient jade, inkstones, and seals, to the state.

The building is bordered by Kunming Road to the east, Munan Road to the south, Xikang Road to the west, and Dali Road to the north. With a construction area of 1,295 square meters, it is a three-story modern-style structure built with brick-concrete construction. The interior includes a study, ballroom, living room, dining room, and more. Originally, there was a garden-style courtyard surrounding the building, featuring rockeries, a small pavilion, and transparent floral-patterned walls, making it an elegant high-end private residence. The building remains in good condition today.

Xu Shizhang (1889–1954)

A renowned cultural relic connoisseur from Tianjin and cousin of Xu Shichang, President of the Republic of China. He studied at the University of Liège in Belgium in his early years, earning a bachelor’s degree in economic management. After returning to China in 1912, he successively served as an official under the Road Administration of the Ministry of Communications, deputy director of the Beijing-Hankou Railway Administration Bureau, and director of the Tianjin-Pukou Railway Administration Bureau. Starting in 1920, he held positions such as Vice Minister of Communications, National Railway Director, Vice President of the Bank of Communications, Director of the China International Transport Bureau, and Director of the Currency Bureau. After Xu Shichang stepped down in 1922, he took up residence in Tianjin, serving as honorary board member of the Railway College, ... More details on Xu Shizhang++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Tianjin