Former Residence of Shen Zengzhi

Former Residence of Shen Zengzhi

The former residence of Shen Zengzhi is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

The former residence of Shen Zengzhi is located at No. 21, Yaojiadai, Ziyang Community, Jianshe Subdistrict, Nanhu District, Jiaxing. It was the home of the late Qing Dynasty Confucian master Mr. Shen Zengzhi. Built in the late Qing Dynasty, according to Wang Quchang, a distinguished scholar, professor at Fudan University, and student of Shen Zengzhi, at that time Shen was still serving in Anhui. He entrusted the construction to his relatives in Jiaxing, spending thirty thousand taels of silver. In the second year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty (1910), Shen Zengzhi returned to his hometown due to illness and secluded himself here to conduct research and writing. In 1958, his descendants donated over forty rooms of the residence to the government free of charge to be used as official dormitories. From April 1999 to 2001, the Jiaxing Municipal People's Government renovated the residence and opened it to the public for free. The residence faces south and is a two-story, three-courtyard quadrangle-style building. It features earthen-tiled, flush-gable roofs, brick-and-wood structure, and post-and-lintel style five-beam frames, with simple carvings on the beams and brackets. Inside, there are covered walkways, halls, and a garden. Shen Zengzhi was a great Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dynasty, with an extensive knowledge of both Chinese and Western studies. His research in history, geography, aesthetics, and phonology broke new ground, achieving high academic accomplishments. His former residence holds significant historical value for studying his life. It was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province in 2011.

Shen Zengzhi (1850–1922), courtesy name Zipei, also known as Yian, and alternatively as Mousou, initially using the alias Xiaochanglu She Ren, later referred to himself as Xunzhai Laoren, Dongxuan Jushi, as well as self-styled as Xunzhai Jushi, Qu Chan, Miu Weng, Yao Dai Lao Min, Yi Kan, Yu Zhai, Lei Xuan, Chi Qing, Yi An, Li Xiang Nong, Chengxi Shui’an Laoren, Yi Seng, Yi Xi, Shui Weng, Dongxuan Zhili Sou, and others. A native of Jiaxing, he passed the imperial examination in the sixth year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1880), and served as the Principal Clerk of the Guizhou Division of the Ministry of Punishments, as a Secretary in the Zongli Yamen (Office for the Management of the Business of All Foreign Countries), and was later appointed as Prefect of Guangxin in Jiangxi and Educational Commissioner of Anhui. He traveled to Japan to study the education system. During this period, he… More details about Shen Zengzhi++

Ziyang Community: Located in the city center of Jiaxing, Ziyang Community under Jianshe Subdistrict is an open, old community integrating commerce, finance, healthcare, and residential living. It borders Jianguo Road to the east, the moat around the city to the south, Hexing Road to the west, and Zhongshan Road to the north. The community covers an area of 0.7 square kilometers, with 2,621 resident households and a total population of 8,384, including 2,308 non-native residents. There are 308 registered party members, organized into 8 branches, including one “Two-New” Youth Branch, 28 resident groups, 1,594 residents aged 60 and above, and 320 aged 80 and above. There are 12 co-built units in the jurisdiction, with 74… More details about Ziyang Community++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Zhejiang Province