Former Residence of Li Jifu

Former Residence of Li Jifu

The former residence of Li Jifu is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Li Jifu is located at No. 12 Huayuan Road, Heping District, covering an area of 5,429 square meters. It was designed by Swiss architect Lü Fu from the Loyal Engineering Company and is a group of courtyard-style buildings modeled after British architecture. The main building was constructed in 1918, featuring a brick-and-wood structure with two floors and a basement.

Li Jifu was the comprador of the British-owned Jardine Matheson & Co. His residence features a blend of Eastern and Western architectural elements. The exterior is predominantly of red brick with exposed masonry, and the entrance porch consists of three continuous arches, each adorned with circular decorative cutouts. At the center of the courtyard stands a fountain, with large flower beds at each corner, giving the entire layout a luxurious and imposing atmosphere. Inside the building are bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, studies, bathrooms, and more. Each room is floored with wooden planks, bright and airy. The grounds around the main building are landscaped with greenery, and the southern side is enclosed by an iron-fenced courtyard wall. This grand residence, surrounded by streets on all sides, boasts an elegant design, serene surroundings, and a luxurious ambiance. It is an outstanding example of modern architecture decorated with classical elements.

Li Jifu (758–814), courtesy name Hongxian, was a politician and geographer of the Tang Dynasty, hailing from Zanhuang in Zhao Commandery (present-day Zanhuang, Hebei). He was the son of Censor-in-Chief Li Qiyun.

Li Jifu came from the western branch of the Zhao Commandery Li clan. In his early years, he entered officialdom through hereditary privilege, holding successive positions such as Storehouse Manager of the Left Imperial Guards, Academician of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Assistant Director of Land Reclamation, Prefectural Prefect of Mingzhou, Prefect of Zhongzhou, Prefect of Liuzhou, Director of Merit Evaluation, and Secretariat Drafter.

During the Yuanhe era, Li Jifu was appointed chancellor twice. For a period, he also governed the Huainan military garrison. He was granted the title of Duke of Zhao. He planned and oversaw the suppression of the Western Shu and Zhenhai regions, weakening the power of regional warlords... More details about Li Jifu ++