Former Residence of Bi Ziyi

Former Residence of Bi Ziyi

The former residence of Bi Ziyi is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

The former residence of Bi Ziyi is located in Xipu Village, Xiwang Town, Zhoucun District, Zibo City, Shandong Province. Historically part of Zichuan County, it was incorporated into Zhoucun District in 1970. It was the home of Bi Ziyi, who served as Minister of Revenue during the late Ming Dynasty.

Covering a total area of nearly 25 acres, the residence was initially built by Bi Ziyi during the Wanli, Tianqi, and Chongzhen reigns of the Ming Dynasty, and later completed in the mid-Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty by his second son, Bi Jiyu. It features a Ming-style architectural complex laid out along a central axis that includes a front screen wall, a lion-guarded main gate, a second gate, a passageway hall, a five-story family residence building, Xiǎiqǐ Pavilion, and the entrance to the Stone Hidden Garden. The layout also includes two side courtyards, with the front section consisting of five courtyards and thirteen compounds for residential use, and the rear section serving as a private garden.

In 1984, it was designated as a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit under the name "Zhènyī Gé" (Clothing-Raising Pavilion). In 2006, it was announced as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit under the name "Former Residence of Bi Ziyi." The site has since restored the "Chuórán Táng" (Unrestrained Hall), "Zhènyī Gé," "Wànjuàn Lóu" (Ten-Thousand-Volume Tower), the family temple, and relocated and renovated the "Lion-Guarded Main Gate," which now serves as the "Pu Songling Study House" open to the public.

After the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Bi family gradually declined, and their descendants scattered throughout the estate, leading to the gradual deterioration of the buildings and the loss of most cultural relics. In 1958, the five-story family residence building was demolished; in 1966, the collection of ten thousand volumes of books was burned. By 1978, only the front screen wall, the rear garden gate, the family temple, the Chuórán Táng, parts of the Zhènyī Gé, Xiǎiqǐ Pavilion, as well as a ginkgo tree and a dead "Butterfly Pine" remained.

Architectural Layout

The Lion-Guarded Main Gate leads to the first courtyard, which houses east and west attendants’ rooms. The third courtyard contains the Jiétáng (Festival Hall), used for displaying imperial edicts. The fourth courtyard has a five-bay main hall where the “Four Friends Painting” was originally hung. The fifth courtyard is home to the five-story family residence building. The east side courtyard features the Chuórán Táng at the front, which served as the family school, while the second courtyard holds the Zhènyī Gé, where the ten thousand volumes of books were later moved. The third courtyard has a passageway hall, and the fourth courtyard contains the Wànjuàn Lóu (Ten-Thousand-Volume Tower). Originally a five-bay, three-story watchtower, the Wànjuàn Lóu included a well, a stone mill, and stone-carved doors and windows, with stone tools and lime vases on the third floor. The west side courtyard includes the family temple, accounting room, storage rooms, and a young lady’s tower. The Stone Hidden Garden features the Xiǎiqǐ Pavilion and sixteen scenic spots formed by ten rockeries.

On December 7, 2006, the former residence of Bi Ziyi was announced by the People's Government of Shandong Province as part of the third batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units.

Bi Ziyi (1569–1638), courtesy name Jǐngzēng, was a native of Zichuan and a renowned politician and financial expert of the Ming Dynasty. He served as Minister of Revenue during the Tianqi and Chongzhen reigns, overseeing the nation's finances. Despite depleted resources and financial deficits, Bi Ziyi skillfully coordinated and managed expenditures, supporting the Ming government’s finances for nearly a decade—a significant contribution to the state. He left behind numerous memorials that serve as valuable historical materials for the study of the Ming Dynasty’s economic history.

Bi Ziyi passed the imperial examination at the age of 20 in the 20th year of the Wanli era (1592) and was appointed as an official in Songjiang. He demonstrated exceptional talent at a young age, particularly in managing complex economic affairs. He successively held positions such as an official in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Works… More details about Bi Ziyi++

Xipu Village: Xipu Village… More details about Xipu Village++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Shandong Province