Xu Zhimo’s Former Residence

Xu Zhimo’s Former Residence

Xu Zhimo’s Former Residence is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xu Zhimo’s Former Residence is located at No. 38 Ganhe Street, Xiashi Subdistrict, Haining, and is named “Anya Hall.” It is recorded that the house was built in August 1926 by Xu Zhimo’s father, Xu Shenru, for Xu Zhimo and Lu Xiaoman’s wedding. The residence is a two-courtyard, wing-room-equipped, two-story building with a fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles, constructed with brick and wood, and has a total width of 13 meters. The front hall and the ground floor of the wing rooms feature traditional Chinese eaves, bracket arms, arched rafters, carved beams, and painted rafters, all exuding an elegant and delicate charm. The hall’s floor is paved with colored cement tiles, which were imported from Germany at the time and are quite aesthetically pleasing. The doors are full-height partitioned doors. There is a wooden staircase. The ceiling is adorned with meticulously crafted multiple shadow lines. Between the hall and the courtyard, there are also full-height partitioned doors for access, while the courtyard is roofed with traditional Chinese beam frames, decorated with detailed carvings of bats, herbs, and ruyi motifs, surrounded by glass windows, creating a fresh and bright atmosphere. The second courtyard includes a terrace. After renovation, the interior of the former residence was arranged to display exhibits on Xu Zhimo’s life and literary career. Based on the recollections of his cousin, it also restored his bridal chamber and study “Mei Xuan” with Lu Xiaoman, as well as the room of Zhang Youyi. It opened to the public in October 1999. In 2006, the surrounding environment of the residence was renovated, with later-built houses along Ganhe Street demolished and a new entrance to the former residence constructed.

In January 2011, it was announced as part of the sixth batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Xu Zhimo (January 15, 1897 – November 19, 1931), born in Haining, Zhejiang Province, was a modern poet and essayist.

Xu Zhimo’s original name was Zhang Xu, with the courtesy name You sen. While studying in the UK, he changed his name to Zhimo. Pen names he used include Nanhu, Shizhe, Haigu, Gu, Dabing, Yunzhonghe, Xianhe, Shanwo, Xinshou, Huanggou, and E’e. Xu Zhimo was a representative poet of the Crescent Moon School and a member of the Crescent Moon Poetry Society.

He graduated from Hangzhou No. 1 Middle School in 1915 and subsequently studied at Shanghai Hujiang University, Tianjin Beiyang University, and Peking University. In 1918, he went to the United States... More details about Xu Zhimo++

Xiashi Subdistrict: Located on the Hangjiahu Plain, Xiashi Subdistrict got its name from the presence of two mountains, east and west. It was originally called Xiashi but was renamed Xiashi starting from the Tang Dynasty. In the sixth year of the Yonghui era of the Song Dynasty (655), Xiashi Town was established; in the eleventh year of the Kaiyuan era (723), Xiashi Market was set up; during the Huichang era (841–844), Xiashi Town was re-established; and in the fourth year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1130), Xiashi Stockade was established. Since ancient times, the area has had a strong academic tradition, honest folk customs, and has produced many notable figures. The district features cultural sites such as the former residences of Xu Zhimo and Zhang Zongxiang, and the Qian Juntao Art Research Museum. Xiashi lanterns are renowned far and wide.

　The subdistrict borders Yuanhua Town and Baibu Town of Haiyan County to the east, Maqiao Subdistrict to the south, and... More details about Xiashi Subdistrict++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units