Former Residence of Zhang Taiyan in Hangzhou

Former Residence of Zhang Taiyan in Hangzhou

The former residence of Zhang Taiyan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former residence of Zhang Taiyan was built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties as a traditional Chinese-style house, located on Old Cangqian Street in Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

At the southern end of the world-famous Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, by the Tang River in Cangqian, Yuhang, once lived Zhang Taiyan, a modern Chinese democratic revolutionary, thinker, and master of Sinology.

The former residence of Zhang Taiyan is located in the central section of Old Cangqian Street and consists of the main residence building, visitor service center, Sinology study center, Sinology lecture hall, and temporary exhibition halls. The main residence building covers a construction area of 811 square meters, faces south, and has four courtyards and one lane, comprising a sedan chair hall, main hall, inner chamber, study room, and avoidance alleyway, all built in the late Qing Dynasty style. Mr. Zhang was born and grew up here, spending twenty-two formative years that greatly influenced his life. The first three courtyards of the residence recreate historical scenes, showcasing the appearance of the residence during Mr. Taiyan’s youth, while the fourth courtyard is an exhibition space that uses a blend of traditional and modern methods to present the remarkable life of Mr. Taiyan. The plaque of the residence was inscribed by Mr. Zhao Puchu.

Artistic Achievements

The former residence of Zhang Taiyan is a rare and well-preserved site that embodies the essence of Qing Dynasty wood carving. Whether it's the lattice windows of “Fuyatang,” the bracket arms (“niutui”) in the rear rooms, or the wooden decorations in the main hall, the craftsmanship of carving, inlaying, and painting is exquisitely refined and skillfully executed. By the canal and along the old street, amidst cultural relics and wood carvings, the former residence of Mr. Taiyan stands as a piece of history and a culture in itself.

On May 25, 2006, the former residence of Zhang Taiyan was approved by the State Council to be included in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Zhang Taiyan (January 12, 1869 – June 14, 1936), whose given name was Binglin, courtesy name Meishu, originally named Xuancheng. He later changed his name to Jiang and adopted the alias Taiyan. In his early years, he also used titles such as “Master of Gaolan Chamber” and “Private Disciple of Liu Zijun.” A native of Yuhang, Zhejiang, China, he was a democratic revolutionary, thinker, and renowned master of evidential scholarship (puxue) in the late Qing and early Republican period. A distinguished scholar, his research spanned philology, history, philosophy, politics, and more, and he authored numerous works.

(In 1897, he served as a contributor to the Shiwu Bao newspaper, was wanted for participating in the reform movement, and fled to Japan. In 1900, he cut off his queue, vowing to revolutionize… Detailed information about Zhang Taiyan++)

Taiyan Community: Located at the center of Cangqian Subdistrict, Taiyan Community in Cangqian is situated in the northwest suburbs of Hangzhou, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center. Hangzhou Wen Yi West Road runs alongside the community, and the Yuhang Tang River flows through it, offering very convenient transportation. Established in December 2003 from the former Taiyan Neighborhood Committee, it was renamed in honor of the Sinology master Zhang Taiyan. The community currently has 42 Party members, a total population of over 3,000, 7 resident groups, 19 jointly built units, and covers an area of 0.79 square kilometers. The community service center spans 580 square meters and includes a library… Detailed information about Taiyan Community++)

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units