Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence

Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence

Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence is the only remaining ancestral home of the Qian family in China that has been restored in honor of the great scientist Qian Xuesen. Located at No. 2 Fanggu Yuan, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, the residence was built in the late Qing Dynasty. Having withstood a century of history, its main structures remain largely intact. After restoration, the residence has once again exuded the cultural charm of a “scholarly family from southern China,” and together with the various exhibits displayed inside, it highlights the upbringing and path to success of this scientific giant.

Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence was officially opened to the public in December 2011 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Qian’s birth. The residence is divided into two sections: the main hall photo exhibition and the second-floor living scene re-creation. The main hall hosts the “Qian Xuesen and Hangzhou” photo exhibition, showcasing the legendary life of “Hangzhou’s Son” Qian Xuesen. The second floor features a restored living environment, including a bedroom, study, and exhibit room, which recreate the “simple yet elegant” lifestyle of the Qian family.

Qian Xuesen was born on December 11, 1911, with ancestral roots in Hangzhou. At the age of three, he moved with his parents to Beijing. In 1930, while studying at National Chiao Tung University, he contracted typhoid fever and convalesced in Hangzhou for a year. Although Qian spent most of his life in Beijing, he remained deeply connected to his hometown and frequently exchanged letters with its people. He was not only an eminent father of China’s aerospace program but also a “Son of Hangzhou” with enduring ties to his native land.

The main hall of Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence has collected and organized authentic historical materials such as photos, manuscripts, and objects related to Qian and Hangzhou, comprehensively showcasing the deep bond and historical connection between the great scientist and his hometown. It is divided into three sections: “Son of Hangzhou,” “Father of Aerospace,” and “Ties to Hometown.” The plaque in the main hall is inscribed with the Qian family motto—“Diligence and Frugality.” Additionally, documents such as Qian’s 1935 U.S. student visa and passport, correspondence with fellow townsmen, and treasured family heirlooms are displayed here.

The second floor of Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence originally consisted of six rooms on the north and south sides, primarily serving as living spaces with bedrooms and a study, arranged in a “zouma lou” (enclosed corridor) layout. Through the display of various artifacts, the second floor recreates the “simple yet elegant” lifestyle of the Qian family, offering visitors a more direct, concrete, and intimate understanding of their daily lives.

The image shows an early family photo of the Qian family taken at the residence. From left to right: Qian Xuesen, his father Qian Junfu, his mother Zhang Lanjuan, his grandmother, and a maid.

The second floor of Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence originally consisted of six rooms on the north and south sides, primarily serving as living spaces with bedrooms and a study, arranged in a “zouma lou” (enclosed corridor) layout. Through the display of various artifacts, the second floor recreates the “simple yet elegant” lifestyle of the Qian family, offering visitors a more direct, concrete, and intimate understanding of their daily lives. The second floor includes two bedrooms—the couple’s room for Qian Junfu and his wife, and Qian Xuesen’s bedroom. These rooms are simple and unadorned; items such as canopy beds, three-door wardrobes, suitcases, and desks all carry an antique charm. The couple’s bedroom displays their old dressing table and leather suitcase, evoking nostalgia and reflection.

The study on the second floor houses bookshelves, flower stands, a large desk, scroll tubes, and the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, paper, and inkstone). Though Qian Xuesen did not live here for long, he spent his carefree childhood here and laid the foundation for his extensive knowledge.

Qian Xuesen led a legendary and profound life. His deep patriotism and rigorous, pragmatic approach to science earned widespread acclaim. Xinhua News Agency published a 5,000-word “Biography of Qian Xuesen,” summarizing his outstanding contributions to China’s aerospace and defense industries. The awards and honors he received in his lifetime are prominently displayed in the recognition exhibition room.

The exhibit room displays kitchenware and various household items used by three generations of the Qian family, including an old copper hotpot, pressure cooker, square pots, high-footed bowls, and monk’s ceremonial cloth. These items were donated to the residence by Qian Xuesen’s son, Qian Yonggang, and they reflect the refined lifestyle of the Qian family as part of a prominent household.

Protected area: Approximately 3 meters beyond the surrounding walls on the east, west, and north sides, and up to the red line of the northern road of Fanggu Yuan on the south side, with a total area of 1,521 square meters.

Construction control zone: Extending to the red line of the western road of Zhidafangbo on the east, the red line of the southern road of Fanggu Yuan on the south, the red line of the eastern road of Mashijie on the west, and the red line of the southern road of Xiaoying Lane on the north (connecting to the construction control zone of the Heavenly Kingdom of Taiping’s Tingwang Mansion), with a total area of 23,147 square meters.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM–11:30 AM and 2:00 PM–5:00 PM

Contact number: 0571-85333110

Tencent Weibo: Xiaoying Jiangnan Hongxiang

Qian Xuesen (December 11, 1911 – October 31, 2009), of Han ethnicity, was the 33rd-generation descendant of King Qian Liu of the Wuyue Kingdom. Born in Shanghai and originally from Lin’an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, he was a world-renowned scientist, aerodynamicist, founding figure of China’s manned space program, academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, recipient of the Two Bombs, One Satellite Meritorious Medal, and honored as the “Father of Chinese Aerospace,” “Father of Chinese Missiles,” “Father of Chinese Automation Control,” and “King of Rockets.” Due to Qian Xuesen’s return to serve China, the development of China’s missiles and atomic bombs was advanced by at least 20 years. … More details about Qian Xuesen ++

Xiaoying Lane Community: Bordered by East River to the east, Middle River to the west, Jiefang Road to the south, and Qingyin Street to the north, Xiaoying Lane Community covers an area of approximately 0.3 square kilometers and is home to over 3,600 households. The area is rich in cultural heritage: No. 61 Xiaoying Lane was the military command center of the Taiping Rebellion’s Prince of Listening, Chen Bingwen; No. 56 Xiaoying Lane is an exhibition hall commemorating Chairman Mao Zedong’s visit to inspect sanitation work in Xiaoying Lane after the founding of New China; No. 2 Fanggu Yuan is the ancestral home of the renowned Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen; and No. 3 Fanggu Yuan is the site of the CCP Group Memorial Hall. The community also boasts a serene environment, with an area of 264 square meters located south of Xiaoying Lane… More details about Xiaoying Lane Community ++

Further reading:

· Seventh batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units

Xiaoying · Jiangnan Hongxiang Scenic Area

Memorial Hall of the CCP Hangzhou Group

Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao’s Visit to Xiaoying Hongxiang