Former Residence of Yuan Shikai in Xiangcheng (Yuan Family Old House)

The Former Residence of Yuan Shikai in Xiangcheng (Yuan Family Old House)

The Former Residence of Yuan Shikai in Xiangcheng (Yuan Family Old House) is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The Former Residence of Yuan Shikai is located in Yuanzhai Village, Wangmingkou Town, 17 kilometers southeast of the urban area.

The Former Residence of Yuan Shikai is the birthplace of Yuan Shikai, a famous historical figure and the first President of the Republic of China. The old residence spans 270 acres and includes 248 structures of various types characterized by Ming and Qing features and traditional styles. It is enclosed by a 1,800-meter-long, over 10-meter-high fortress wall, six watchtowers, and three moats. The residence is laid out along central, eastern, and western axes, divided into eastern, central, and western groups of deep courtyards that are interconnected in a winding fashion, forming a complete and uniquely styled architectural complex. The buildings are constructed with traditional materials such as bricks, tiles, wood, and lime, reflecting the characteristics of ancient Chinese architecture. The ridges of the rooftops are adorned with brick carvings of lions, tigers, leopards, horses, and monkeys, while the upturned eaves at the four corners are decorated with dragon and beast motifs that point majestically toward the sky, creating a grand and imposing atmosphere.

The Middle Courtyard was built by Yuan Zhongsan and features a horse-riding style gate tower with a carved plaque on the lintel reading “Purple Air Comes from the East.” It is also divided into front, middle, and rear sections. The front courtyard has a three-room sitting room at the front, flanked by east and west wing rooms. The middle courtyard features a five-room central building with three-room wing rooms on both sides. The total area is 2,800 square meters. The rooms are furnished with nanmu wood furniture, and the walls are hung with calligraphy and paintings by famous individuals. The existing main hall and reception room are well preserved.

The East Courtyard was built by Yuan Baizhong, Yuan Shikai’s father, on the site of the original Shi family residence. It has a grand gate with a pair of five-foot-tall stone lions standing guard; the left lion is a female carrying a cub on her back, while the right male lion looks sideways and upward at the female, full of lifelike expression. Above the two bright red pillars on either side of the gate are carved images of “frogs playing with lotus.” The lintel above the gate consists of three horizontal panels: the left and right panels depict scenes from the operas “Five Judges in Council” and “The Princess’ Rebellion,” respectively, while the middle panel shows a farmer carrying a hoe on his way to the fields. There are also “mounting stones” and “dismounting stones” on either side of the gate. The entire residence is divided into front, middle, and rear courtyards. The front courtyard has a central hall flanked by wing rooms. The middle courtyard includes east and west wing towers and a central three-room building where Yuan Shikai was born. The rear courtyard has three-room wing towers on both sides and a three-room main hall, covering a total area of 2,800 square meters. The three-room building where Yuan Shikai was born remains intact and well preserved.

The West Courtyard was built and inhabited by Yuan Shikai’s sixth younger brother, Yuan Shitong, covering an area of 3,040 square meters. It has a grand gate guarded by five-foot-tall stone lions, with “mounting stones” and “dismounting stones” on either side, as well as a pair of bright red pillars. The lintel above the gate features carved images of blooming lotuses and frogs playing in water, while the east and west walls of the gateway are painted with “carp jumping over the dragon gate” and “the Eight Immortals crossing the sea,” respectively. Passing through the grand gate, there is a theater stage in the center, flanked by wing rooms, a west wing room, and a north hall, all connected by corridors. The four upturned corners of the theater stage each project more than three feet and are decorated with brightly colored carvings of lotuses, white plum blossoms, and various peonies—some flowers even extend down to the ground along the pillars. The theater roof is covered with glazed tiles, and the front stage and the screen door in the backstage consist of four doors, each surrounded by carved phoenix patterns that form an unbroken line, with many smiling arhats seated cross-legged in the center. Beyond the theater is a five-room main hall with six bright red pillars under the front eaves, carved with dragons and embroidered balls. The arched ceiling inside the hall hangs three “palace lanterns” and three “myriad-lamp lanterns.” The palace lanterns have six dragon-headed upturned corners with colorful tassels hanging down. The “myriad-lamp lanterns” are about one meter in diameter, with trays holding 120 candles each. Each candle is covered with a white shade and adorned with a red flower, with multicolored glass tassels hanging beneath each flower. When lit, they are dazzlingly colorful and magnificent. Behind the screen in the hall stands a nanmu-framed mirror decorated with Chinese inscriptions and images of pine trees and cranes, symbolizing longevity. At the east and west ends of the hall are symmetrically placed nanmu square tables and side cabinets, with valuable vases displayed on the cabinets. Next to the tables are two “curved-back grand chairs.” The surrounding walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings. Inside the entrance of the hall, there is a white dragon jar on the east and a white blue-dragon jar on the west, both containing goldfish. Passing through the hall leads to the waist building courtyard, which has a five-room waist building and three-room wing rooms on both sides. A corridor with painted decorations connects the waist building with the wing rooms. Finally, there is the main hall courtyard, with a five-room main hall and two-room wing rooms on both sides, encircled by a glass-covered corridor. Each room is furnished with nanmu furniture and decorated with calligraphy and paintings on the walls. The existing structures include the five-room main hall, the hall, and three rooms of the east wing, plus six rooms of the west wing.

Address: Yuanzhai Village, Wangmingkou Town, 17 kilometers southeast of Xiangcheng City, Zhoukou

Type: Celebrity Former Residence

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Opening Hours:

8:30-17:00

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 30.0 RMB

Yuan Shikai (September 16, 1859 – June 6, 1916), courtesy name Weiting (also written as Weiting), art name Rong’an, was a Han Chinese from Xiangcheng, Henan. He was a prominent political figure in modern Chinese history. As a leader of the Beiyang warlords, he became the first President of the Republic of China following the Xinhai Revolution. During his tenure, he actively developed industry, unified the currency system, and established modern judicial and educational systems. However, later incited by constitutionalists such as Yang Du, he attempted to restore the imperial system and proclaim himself emperor but was eventually overthrown.

On September 16, 1859, Yuan Shikai was born in Yuanzhai, Wangmingkou Town, Xiangcheng City, Henan Province... More detailed information about Yuan Shikai ++

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province