Former Residence of the Hou Family

Former Residence of the Hou Family

The former residence of the Hou family is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The former residence of the Hou family consists of two parts: one is the residence of Hou Xun, Minister of Revenue during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty. It features a traditional quadrangle courtyard layout with three courtyards in one compound. The middle courtyard currently has two courtyards in sequence — the front courtyard has a three-bay main gate, three west wing rooms, while the rear courtyard includes a three-bay hallway, three wing rooms on each east and west side, a three-bay main hall building, two east side rooms, and a west side courtyard that has a three-bay main room, a three-bay hallway. All three courtyards are built in the traditional Chinese flush-gable style with brick and wood structures, featuring blue bricks and gray tiles, giving an elegant and classic appearance. The other part is the residence of Hou Fangyu, a literary figure from the early Qing Dynasty and son of Hou Xun. It is an ancient architectural complex of a four-sided building with courtyards, currently comprising a five-bay main hall building (designed as “three bays visible, five bays hidden,” with front extension and rear enclosure), three-bay buildings on the east and west sides, and a five-bay hallway, all constructed in the flush-gable brick and wood style. The main hall building is named “Zhuanghui Hall” (Hall of Sincere Regret), the west building is called “Feicui Tower” (Jade Tower), also known as “Xiangjun Tower” (Tower of the Fragrant Lady), and the east building is named “Xueyuan Society.” Currently, the former residence of the Hou family is managed by the Suiyang District Museum and is open to the public as a cultural relic site. In 2000, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Shangqiu City. In August 2006, it was announced as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Henan Province.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province