The Former Residence of Shi Taishi

The Former Residence of Shi Taishi

The Former Residence of Shi Taishi is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Former Residence of Shi Taishi is located on Tiantaili Street in Yingjiang District, Anqing City.

The Former Residence of Shi Taishi was originally built during the Ming Dynasty. It earned the former names “Former Residence of Shi Taishi” and “Residence of Four Generations of Hanlin Scholars” because four generations of the Zhao family—starting with Zhao Wenkai, followed by Zhao Yun, Zhao Jiyuan, and Zhao Zengzhong—served as Hanlin scholars. On November 5, 1907, Zhao Puchu, who later served as Vice Chairman of the 9th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Honorary Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, and President of the Buddhist Association of China, was born here. Hence, it is also known as the Former Residence of Zhao Puchu.

The Former Residence of Shi Taishi combines ancient architecture with garden design, covering a total area of 4,463 square meters, with a built-up area of 2,773 square meters. The ancient architectural complex faces south and is enclosed by grey brick walls with clear joints, giving it a simple and elegant appearance. The horse-head walls rise and fall rhythmically. The main structures are built with a brick-and-wood frame, forming a rectangular layout that is 42 meters wide from east to west and 84 meters long from north to south. The complex consists of seven sections: four sections on the east side and three on the west. Except for the third section on the west, which has three bays, all others have five bays, each spanning 20 meters in width, arranged neatly along two north-south central axes. Each section is connected on both sides by wing rooms or corridors. Between the first to fourth sections on the east and the first to second sections on the west are courtyards that serve to admit light and channel rainwater from the surrounding eaves. The backyard garden, covering an area of 982 square meters, features a hexagonal pavilion, a lotus pond, rockeries, a stele corridor, and landscaping. It resembles a jade-green emerald embedded in the northwest part of the ancient architectural complex.

The architectural art of this residence emphasizes feng shui and features a cleverly chosen location. Built to accommodate an extended family, it boasts a grand scale. It blends northern and southern styles, highlighting Huizhou architectural characteristics. With a symmetrical central axis and orderly structure, its basic architectural unit consists of an open hall flanked by one or two wings or corridors, together with small courtyards. The brick carving, wood carving, and stone carving techniques are exquisitely refined, seamlessly integrating interior and exterior decorations. The interplay of dots, lines, planes, black, white, grey, clear-jointed exterior walls, inner walls, and continuous grey tiles come together to create the refreshing and elegant external appearance of the Former Residence of Shi Taishi.

The style of the Former Residence of Shi Taishi merges the grandeur and boldness of northern ancient architecture with the delicacy and refinement of Huizhou architecture. It possesses strong local characteristics and significant historical, scientific, and artistic value. It is also one of the better-preserved and larger complexes of Ming and Qing dynasty ancient buildings in Anhui Province.

In 2006, as a Ming dynasty structure, the Former Residence of Shi Taishi was listed by the State Council as part of the sixth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Protected area: 5 meters to the east and west, 3 meters to the north, and extending to Tiantaili Street to the south, outside the enclosing wall.

Construction control zone: Approximately 24–42 meters to the east, 35 meters to the south, 23 meters to the west, and 49 meters to the north up to Xiaosu Road, outside the protected area.

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units