Zhou Enlai's Former Residence

Zhou Enlai's Former Residence

Zhou Enlai's Former Residence is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a Patriotic Education Base.

Zhou Enlai's Former Residence is situated on Baoyouqiao He Yan (now the eastern end of Laodong Road) in the urban area of Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. It is a brick-and-tile house facing south with the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty, featuring a traditional black bamboo-slat gate. The residence has a simple and solemn appearance, consisting of three sections, each with three rooms. Courtyards separate each section, flanked by small corridors. The first section has a central gate flanked by side rooms; the second section is the main hall. The third section was originally a two-story building but was rebuilt as a single-story structure after its collapse. It is now a Zhejiang Provincial Patriotic Education Base and a Shaoxing Municipal Moral Education Base for Schools. Zhou Enlai once said many times during his lifetime, "I am from Shaoxing," referring to Shaoxing as his hometown. Historical records indicate that the Zhou family of Baoyouqiao moved to the urban area of Shaoxing during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty.

Located on Laodong Road in the city, the residence was formerly called "Baishou Tang" (Hundred-Year Hall), as it was said that a couple in the family had lived to be 100 years old. Zhou Enlai’s ancestors had lived here for generations, but his grandfather moved to Huai'an while serving in Jiangsu. In 1939, when Zhou Enlai visited Shaoxing, he received relatives, friends, and people from all walks of life here, promoted the resistance against Japan, wrote multiple anti-Japanese inscriptions for patriots and locals, and updated the family genealogy. In 1984, during the renovation of the residence, the "Exhibition Room of Zhou Enlai’s Historical Traces" was established, primarily introducing his activities in Shaoxing during the Anti-Japanese War.

The former residence was originally named Xiyang Tang (Foster Hall). In the 37th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1698 AD), Wang, the wife of Zhou Maozhang, lived to be 100 years old. The governor of Zhejiang specially awarded a plaque inscribed with "Gate of the Hundred-Year-Old Mother," hence it also became known as "Baishou Tang." Zhou Enlai returned to his ancestral home from March 29 to 31, 1939, where he received relatives and people from all circles, gave speeches on resisting Japan, held discussions with workers, and wrote multiple inscriptions for patriots and relatives, pointing out a bright future, calling for unity in the resistance against Japan, encouraging youth to study, and greatly inspiring the anti-Japanese enthusiasm of his fellow townsmen. He also updated the Zhou family genealogy. In the 1980s, the Shaoxing government renovated Baishou Tang, restoring it largely to its original appearance. The plaque above the ceremonial gate inscribed with "Hundred-Year-Old Mother" was rewritten by Gu Tinglong, and the plaque above the door inscribed with "Zhou Enlai's Former Residence" was written by Zhou Enlai himself. In March 1998, on the 100th anniversary of Zhou Enlai’s birth, Baishou Tang was expanded again, and a new square was created opposite the residence, featuring a bronze statue of Zhou Enlai in the center for future generations to pay their respects and hold commemorative activities. It is a Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former dwelling place of Zhou Enlai’s ancestors. Originally named "Baishou Tang," it is a gatehouse-style building with Ming and Qing architectural influences. Covering an area of 2,150 square meters with a construction area of 1,680 square meters, it faces south and consists of three sections. On March 28, 1939, Zhou Enlai, then Vice Minister of the Political Department of the National Military Council, returned to his hometown of Shaoxing. Here, he received people from all walks of life and relatives, wrote anti-Japanese inscriptions, and updated the family genealogy.

Suggested Duration

1 hour

Transportation

Take bus routes 13, 17, 20A, 20B, 29, 31, 31A, or 31B and get off at Changqiao Station

Ticket

The Premier’s Former Residence offers a three-in-one ticket: the Premier’s Former Residence, the Premier’s Historical Exhibition Hall, and the He Zhizhang Former Residence (next to Zhou Enlai's Former Residence) for 18 RMB; student tickets are half price. The ticket office is located diagonally opposite the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall.

Opening Hours

8:00-17:00

Location

No. 50, Laodong Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province

Zhou Enlai was a Marxist, proletarian revolutionary, politician, military strategist, and diplomat. He was one of the principal leaders of the Communist Party of China and the People’s Republic of China, one of the founders of the People’s Liberation Army, and Premier of the People’s Republic of China (1949–1976). Originally from Shaoxing, Zhejiang, he was born in Huai'an, Jiangsu. After graduating from Nankai School in Tianjin in 1917, he went to Japan to study. He returned to China in 1919, entered Nankai University in September, became a leader of the Tianjin student movement during the May Fourth Movement, and co-founded the progressive group Awakening Society with other activists... More details about Zhou Enlai++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units