British-style Architectural Complex in Weihai

British-style Architectural Complex in Weihai

The British-style Architectural Complex in Weihai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The initial lease term of Weihai by the British was set at 25 years, starting from 1898. However, it was not until 1930 that Weihai, Liugong Island, and the islands within Weihai Harbour were returned to China, although Liugong Island was leased to the British for another ten years. By the end of 1940, British troops withdrew from Liugong Island, finally ending the 42-year lease history of Weihai.

During the decades of its lease over Weihai, Britain gradually constructed a number of administrative, military facilities, and commercial areas, mainly distributed along Liugong Island and the eastern coastal area of the city.

Heading south along the short Beishan Road, you’ll find the former site of the British Consulate on the roadside. Turning onto the coastal Huanghai Road, there is the former site of a British merchant’s seaside summer villa (once referred to as the “former site of the British Navy Commander’s Summer Villa”), which now houses a teahouse. This building was constructed in 1904 by the British man Ellis. Since the national-level “British-style Architecture in Weihai” is dated to 1900 and 1901, this structure should be excluded.

The upper part of the main façade of this building has four stone circular holes, hence it is called the “Four-Eyed Building.” This three-story stone-and-timber structure features a corridor at the front, with granite steps in the middle, and is a typical example of Western-style houses in Weihai.

In the courtyard of the HaiDu Hotel diagonally opposite the Four-Eyed Building, there are two old villas, labeled as the former residence of an American businessman and the former residence of an American dentist.

On the other side of Beihai Road lies the former site of Kuanyuan Monastery. Established by the French Franciscans, it was an important Catholic facility in Weihai during the Republican era. In 1934, over ten Black Sisters from Luxembourg came to Weihai to preach. In 1935, using the Lu Shi Tai Villa of the British firm Jardine Matheson and nearby land, they expanded it into Kuanyuan Monastery.

It housed a convent, orphanage, free clinic, and horticultural garden.

The British-style Architectural Complex in Weihai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units