Former Residence of Xiong Xiling

Former Residence of Xiong Xiling

The former residence of Xiong Xiling is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The former residence of Xiong Xiling is located in a small alley within Wenxing Street in the north of Fenghuang Ancient Town. Just 200 meters east of the residence lies the picturesque Tuojiang River. The residence is a quadrangle courtyard featuring traditional southern-style wooden and tiled architecture. Though relatively small, it is exquisitely crafted and retains an authentic Miao ethnic ambiance. Currently, four rooms of the original structure remain largely unchanged and are rich in Miao cultural elements. The site is a key cultural relic protection unit at the county level.

The surroundings of the residence are tranquil and serene, with an ancient and rustic architectural style. It has a square layout with a central open courtyard. Upon entering the gate, to the left is a front room about ten square meters in size, also known as the guest reception room. To the east of the courtyard is a dedicated woodshed, which houses stone mills and pestles—tools for food preparation that reflect the frugal and industrious lifestyle of the household in its time. As a child, Xiong Xiling loved to play in this woodshed and often learned how to operate the mill and pestle, cultivating from a young age a deep empathy for the hardships of ordinary people and a genuine concern for the well-being of the less fortunate.

Beyond the courtyard lies the main hall. On either side of the wooden doors of the main hall hangs a bold and clearly inscribed couplet: “Loyal to the nation throughout life, longing for China’s rejuvenation; devoted to charity and education for half a century, nurturing talent for the nation.” This couplet encapsulates Xiong Xiling’s grand vision for his country and people, as well as his dedication and remarkable achievements in philanthropy and education for the Chinese nation.

The main hall consists of three rooms over two floors, built with wood. It displays objects once used by Xiong Xiling in his daily life and work. Clear photographs and vivid, moving texts chronicle the steps and journey of his life. Family matters, national affairs, and global concerns were all within the scope of his vision and strategy. Endowed with profound wisdom and vast knowledge, he devoted his entire life to the nation and its people during times of turmoil and crisis for the Chinese nation. Comrade Mao Zedong once remarked about Xiong Xiling: “When a person does good deeds for the people, the people will never forget him. Xiong Xiling did many good things.” A premier once gave a fair assessment: “Xiong Xiling was first-rate talent during Yuan Shikai’s era, serving as Premier of the Cabinet. What he accomplished, I remember very clearly.” Such high praise from these two great figures fully attests to the nobility of Xiong Xiling’s character and the extraordinary patriotism and compassion he demonstrated.

Since officially opening to the public in 2000, the former residence of Xiong Xiling has welcomed nearly one million visitors, becoming a major cultural highlight of Fenghuang Ancient Town.

Fun Fact: Xiong Xiling was born in Fenghuang in the ninth year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1870), and was hailed as the “Child Prodigy of Hunan” and the “Phoenix of Xiong.” He served as the first Premier of the Cabinet of the Republic of China. Although his tenure was brief, his reputation was significant. His childhood and adolescence were spent in this very residence in Fenghuang, which was connected to the south shrine of Confucius, the Great Sage and Master of Literature, bordered to the east by the meandering Tuojiang River, and adjoined to the north by the green barracks of the Fenghuang Direct-Controlled Prefecture Lüying Army.

According to written records: The former residence of Xiong Xiling was built by his grandfather’s generation in the 28th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1848 AD). In the 8th year of the Tongzhi reign (1869 AD), Xiong Xiling was born in this classic, unadorned traditional house. He studied, practiced calligraphy, and spent his childhood and adolescent years here with his family. Later, through his intelligence, talent, and extraordinary courage, he passed the examinations to become a child student, then a scholar, then a presented scholar, and eventually an advanced scholar. From there, he left Fenghuang, moved beyond the provincial capital, and expanded his influence nationally and even globally, becoming a renowned statesman.

Address: No. 8 Wenxing Street, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Phone: 0743-3502059, 0743-3223315

Opening Hours:

Summer: 7:30–18:00; Winter: 8:00–17:30

Transportation:

Exit Nanhuamen Gate and walk eastward. After turning a few corners, you will find the signboard for the Former Residence of Xiong Xiling.

Ticket:

Included in the Fenghuang ticket

Xiong Xiling

(1870-1937)

Premier and Minister of Finance of the Republic of China, educator, and industrialist.

A native of Fenghuang County, Hunan Province, Xiong Xiling was born in 1870 into an official family. As a child, he attended a private school. At 14, he became a scholar and was known as the “Child Prodigy of Western Hunan.” At 20, he passed the imperial examination to become an advanced scholar and was appointed as a bachelor in the Hanlin Academy. In 1897, during the rise of the Reform Movement in Hunan, he assisted Governor Chen Baozhen in implementing new policies while serving as head of the Hunan Times School, where he hired Liang Qichao as the head Chinese instructor. He was involved in establishing and developing modern shipping in Hunan. He founded... [More details on Xiong Xiling++]