Former Residence of Mei Lanfang in Beijing

Former Residence of Mei Lanfang in Beijing

The former residence of Mei Lanfang is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former residence of Mei Lanfang was the home of the famous Peking opera artist Mei Lanfang. Located at No. 9 Huguo Temple Street, Xicheng District, it spans an area of 716 square meters. Before his death in 1961, Mei Lanfang spent the last 10 years of his life in this peaceful and serene traditional courtyard. The property was originally part of the mansion of Prince Qing, Yixun, from the late Qing Dynasty. After the liberation, it was renovated, and Mei Lanfang moved in. Following his passing, then-Premier Zhou Enlai proposed the establishment of the Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum.

In May 2013, the former residence of Mei Lanfang in Beijing was listed as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Source: Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics

Mei Lanfang (October 22, 1894 – August 8, 1961) was born on October 22, 1894, in Beijing, with ancestral roots in Taizhou, Jiangsu. He was a master of Chinese Peking opera performance.

Mei Lanfang came from a family of traditional opera performers. He began studying opera at the age of 8, learned the role of qingyi (a type of female role) under Master Wu Lingxian at age 9, and made his stage debut at age 10. Later, he studied huadan (a vivacious female role) under Qin Zhifen and Hu Ergeng. From April 1915 to September 1916, he premiered 11 new plays including "The Tides of Officialdom," "Prison Lovers," and "Madam Butterfly." Before 1949, he traveled to Japan, the United States, the Soviet Union...  More details about Mei Lanfang++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units