Former Residence of Cai E in Beijing

Former Residence of Cai E in Beijing

The former residence of Cai E is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Cai E is located at No. 66, Mianhua Hutong, Xicheng District, Beijing.

It consists of a front and a rear courtyard, with the houses connected by corridors. The site largely retains its original appearance. Cai E lived here from the 2nd to the 4th year of the Republic of China (November 1913 – November 1915). The west room of the front courtyard includes the main gate and three auxiliary rooms, as well as three northern and three southern rooms. The front and rear courtyards are separated by a corridor wall. The rear courtyard has three northern, three southern, and three eastern rooms. The overall layout does not conform to the traditional design of old Beijing siheyuan (courtyard houses), and both construction workmanship and materials appear quite simple. Even the main rooms are not built on a raised platform of three stone steps—all twenty rooms are built directly on the ground, giving an impression of modest construction. Rooms in the wing courtyards were all added later, originally used for parking and housing horses. Cai E held the military rank of General and served as the Director of the Frontier Bureau; his horses and carriages were official benefits provided by the government.

Cai E, (1882–1916)

Governor of the Yunnan Military Government, Commander-in-Chief of the First Army of the Anti-Yuan Protection Army, General.

A native of Shaoyang County, Hunan (now Dayong District, Shaoyang City), courtesy name Songpo, he was born on December 18, 1882, into a poor farming family in Qinqi Township, Shaoyang County. At the age of five, he moved with his parents to Shanmen, Xiangyang County. At six, he began studying at a private school. By ten, he had completed the “Four Books” and “Five Classics” and was able to write fluent essays, earning the title of “child prodigy.” At thirteen, he took exams in history and literature and achieved excellent results, passing the examination to become a xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial civil examinations at the county level). At fifteen, he enrolled in the Hunan Times School. …   More details about Cai E++