Former Residence of Yu Qian

Former Residence of Yu Qian

The Former Residence of Yu Qian is a cultural heritage site under the protection of Hangzhou Municipality.

The Former Residence of Yu Qian is situated at the northern end of Citang Lane on Hangzhou’s Southern Song Imperial Street–Qinghefang Historical Block, at No. 42, Citang Lane, Qinghefang, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, just one kilometer from West Lake. In the second year of the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty (1466 AD), after Yu Qian’s case was redressed, his former home was converted into the Lianzhong Shrine in his memory. The residence has now been restored to its original appearance and displays exhibits on Yu Qian’s life and achievements. Artifacts such as a flagpole stone and a statue stele are still preserved. The residence is open to the public free of charge.

The front courtyard of the residence features a well against the wall, enclosed by stone railings on three sides. It is said that Yu Qian drew water from this well, and rope marks from the well bucket can still be seen inside. Next to the well is a living room of about ten square meters where Yu Qian lived and carried out his daily routines. After washing up by the well, he would start his day with morning readings. The main structure, the “Zhongsu Hall,” was originally the main hall of the residence. It is simply furnished and offers an unobstructed view from one end to the other, much like Yu Qian’s own incorruptible life. A couplet on the porch of the Zhongsu Hall reads: “Reciting of lime, praising of lime, a life of purity surpasses lime; cherishing the nation, safeguarding the nation, centuries of devotion echo for the nation.”

Behind the Zhongsu Hall lies a small garden with a square pond and two small pavilions, serene enough that you can almost hear the reflection of sunlight and clouds on the water. One stele, one well, one room, one hall, one pond, and two small pavilions—all can be taken in at a glance.

The Former Residence of Yu Qian is not large in size. Upon entering, a screen wall is engraved with the famous poem “Ode to Lime”: “Thousands of hammers and chisels carve it out of the deep mountain; fierce flames burn it as if it were nothing. Crushed bones and shattered body hold no fear — all I want is to leave purity in the human world.” In 1466, after Yu Qian’s case was redressed, the residence was converted into the Lianzhong Shrine. Today, the Zhongsu Hall, Sixian Courtyard, and ancient well of the residence have been restored to their original appearance, and relics such as the original flagpole stone and statue stele are also on display.

Protected area: within the existing boundary wall, covering a total area of 442 square meters.

Construction control zone: east to the southern side of Citang Lane, south to the curb line on the northern side of Gaoyin Lane, west to approximately 22 meters beyond the red line on the western side of Citang Lane, north to the red line on the southern side of Taipingfang Lane, covering a total area of 10,288 square meters.

Yu Qian (1398–1457), courtesy name Tingyi, art name Jie’an, was a native of Renhe (present-day Hangzhou) in the Ming Dynasty. He came from a family of scholar-officials. Gifted and intelligent from a young age, he was raised in a family that valued education. He entered a private school at age six and became a government-sponsored scholar at the county level at age fifteen. He read extensively, particularly admiring the writings of Su Wu, Zhuge Liang, Yue Fei, and Wen Tianxiang, and revered their moral integrity. After failing the local imperial examination at age seventeen, he dedicated himself to study. At twenty, he ranked among the top scholars at the county school. At twenty-three, he passed the provincial examination, and the following year placed first in the metropolitan examination in the capital. In the nineteenth year of the Yongle era (1421) of the Ming Dynasty, he passed the imperial examination to become a Jinshi (advanced scholar), but due to the critical nature of his policy essay during the palace examination, he only... More details about Yu Qian ++