Former Residence Memorial Hall of Huo Yuanjia

Former Residence Memorial Hall of Huo Yuanjia

The Former Residence Memorial Hall of Huo Yuanjia is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

Huo Yuanjia, courtesy name Junqing, was a renowned patriotic martial artist in the late Qing Dynasty. He lived in Xiaonanhe Village, Tianjin, and was the founder of the Chin Woo Athletic Association. With exceptional martial arts skills and a strong sense of justice, he inherited his family’s legendary “Mizongquan” (Lost Track Fist) technique. He gained fame in both Tianjin and Shanghai for defeating Western strongmen, becoming a household hero.

Huo Yuanjia’s former residence is located in Xiaonanhe Village, Xiaonanhe Town, Xiqing District. Originally built in the early years of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty, it is a small farmhouse with blue brick walls and tiled roofs. In 1986, the Xiqing District People’s Government renovated the former residence and constructed the Huo Yuanjia Mausoleum to commemorate this world-renowned martial artist. In 1991, the residence was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Tianjin. In 1997, the residence underwent further renovation, the mausoleum was expanded, and it was opened to the public as the “Former Residence Memorial Hall of Huo Yuanjia.” The memorial hall consists of two parts: the former residence and the mausoleum. The residence faces south and is a traditional three-sided Qing-style courtyard home. The main building has five rooms— one central room with four side rooms—and one wing room on the east and west sides. The central hall displays a portrait of Huo Yuanjia, flanked by a pair of elegiac couplets written by his son, Huo Dongge, after his father’s death: “A life of chivalry, a hero for all time.” The west room served as Huo Yuanjia’s study, with Sun Yat-sen’s calligraphy “The Spirit of Martial Valor” displayed on the wall, a dedication to the Chin Woo Athletic Association. The east room was his bedroom. The residence also exhibits martial arts weapons used by Huo Yuanjia, such as stone locks, stone weights, swords, and a seven-section whip, along with precious artifacts including the association’s flags, badges, and membership certificates.

The mausoleum is located south of Xiaonanhe Village, covering nearly one hectare. The entire structure follows an axial symmetrical layout, consisting of a spirit way, stone lions, a worship hall, a stone memorial archway, and the burial garden. It houses an exhibition on Huo Yuanjia’s life and achievements, divided into four sections: “Early Prominence in Yan-Zhao,” “Determined Intelligence and Bravery to Avenge National Humiliation,” “Founding Chin Woo to Strengthen the Nation and Its People,” and “Patriotic Spirit Carried Forward.”

Since its establishment, the Former Residence Memorial Hall of Huo Yuanjia has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to pay tribute and revisit the legendary deeds and inspiring spirit of this patriotic hero. In 1994, it was designated as a Tianjin Patriotic Education Base by the municipal Party committee and government.

Address of the Former Residence Memorial Hall of Huo Yuanjia: Xiaonanhe Village, Jingwu Town, Xiqing District, Contact Number: 87841119

Huo Yuanjia (January 18, 1868 – September 14, 1910), a famous patriotic martial artist in the late Qing Dynasty, courtesy name Junqing, of Han ethnicity. Born into a family of martial escorts, he inherited the “Mizongquan” (Lost Track Fist) technique. In 1909, at the age of 41, Huo Yuanjia came to Shanghai through the introduction of Nong Jinsun and began teaching martial arts at the Chin Woo Physical Training Institute founded by Chen Gongzhe and Chen Tiesheng. He was named one of the top ten martial arts figures in Cangzhou. Sun Yat-sen spoke highly of Huo Yuanjia’s vision of “using martial valor to strengthen the nation and its people.” On the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Chin Woo Association, Sun personally attended the celebration and inscribed the words “The Spirit of Martial Valor”...  More details about Huo Yuanjia++

Xiaonanhe Village: Located southwest of Tianjin’s urban center, Xiaonanhe Village is 10 kilometers from the city center. The village covers a land area of 13.3 square kilometers, with over 1,600 households, a population of 4,300, and 125 Party members. It is the largest administrative village in Jingwu Town. Since the 1990s, Xiaonanhe Village has received visits from central leaders including Jiang Zemin, -, -, -, and - for work inspections.

Xiaonanhe Village has consistently focused on developing competitive agriculture, steadily advancing industry, vigorously promoting Huo Yuanjia cultural tourism, encouraging private sector growth, and always prioritizing people’s livelihoods...  More details about Xiaonanhe Village++