Former Residence of Tao Chengzhang

Former Residence of Tao Chengzhang

The former residence of Tao Chengzhang is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

The former residence of Tao Chengzhang is located in Xishangtang Natural Village, Taoyan Village, Taoyan Town, Shaoxing County. It dates back to the Qing Dynasty and the Republican period.

It is a late Qing Dynasty building. The residence faces south and is a brick-and-wood structure consisting of three bays and two courtyards, covering an area of 407 square meters. The first courtyard is a single-eave, flush-gable entry hall; the second is a main building reconstructed using Tao Chengzhang’s pension. The two courtyards are separated by a central courtyard, with four single-story rooms in the east wing. The first room on the south side of the wing was once Tao’s study.

It is a cultural relic protection unit at the county level in Shaoxing.

The residence is a late Qing Dynasty brick-and-wood structure facing south, with two courtyards and three bays, separated by a central courtyard and featuring an east wing. It covers an area of 407 square meters. The second main building was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in 1916 by Tao Chengzhang’s father, Tao Zheng, using the pension issued by the government. It underwent comprehensive renovation and was opened to the public in the late 1990s.

The first courtyard consists of single-story rooms. The central gate of the main room features a horizontal plaque inscribed with “Former Residence of Tao Chengzhang” in regular script, written by Sun Fuling, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. The ceremonial gate displays a half-length portrait of Tao Chengzhang, flanked by the elegiac couplet: “A pioneer in the Anhui Incident, he persevered through countless trials to fulfill the mission of national restoration; an outstanding scholar of Yue, his noble spirit draws tributes from all.” This summarizes Tao Chengzhang’s revolutionary life. The east side room served as the kitchen and storage area. The four single-story rooms in the east wing include the first room on the south side, which was Tao Chengzhang’s study during his lifetime.

The second courtyard is the main building. The first floor houses an exhibition on Tao Chengzhang’s life and deeds, introducing the life of this revolutionary activist through detailed photos and artifacts. The second floor is arranged as it originally was for visitors to pay their respects. The central room was the married bedroom of the martyr; the east side room was the bedroom of Tao Chengzhang’s parents; the west side room displays Tao Chengzhang’s personal belongings, including the small leather suitcase he used when liaising with secret societies and traveling for the revolution, as well as letters exchanged with friends.

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

Tao Chengzhang (1878–1912), courtesy name Huanqing, also known as Hansi, Qidong, Zhige, and Xunyan. He was also called Jiaoshu, Yishu, among other names, and was from Shanyin, Shaoxing (present-day Shangyu District, Shaoxing City). He was born on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (January 24, 1878 in the Gregorian calendar).

In his childhood, his family was poor. At the age of six, he attended the village’s Tao family charity school, and by fifteen, he was a tutor. Gifted and intelligent, he had an exceptional memory. In his youth, he was exposed to new learning, read patriotic literature, and gradually developed revolutionary ideas, aspiring to reform feudalism. His father, Tao Pinsan, fearing trouble, repeatedly warned him, but his resolve never wavered.

First Sino-Japanese War... More details about Tao Chengzhang ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Zhejiang Province