Former Residence of Shen Congwen

Former Residence of Shen Congwen

The Former Residence of Shen Congwen is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The world comes to know and understand Fenghuang through Shen Congwen. On December 28, 1902, the renowned writer, historian, and archaeologist Mr. Shen Congwen was born in a typical quadrangle courtyard on Zhongying Street in the ancient town of Fenghuang. This is a late Qing Dynasty building with a history of over a hundred years, consisting of two courtyards, with a square red stone-paved courtyard in the middle, flanked by 11 classic-style wing rooms on both sides, giving off an exquisite and delicate impression. The house features a post-and-lintel wooden structure, built with single-bracket and single-eye boxed walls. The soaring eaves and the solid gray walls blend harmoniously, appearing well-coordinated, while the aged wooden panels and weathered doors and windows reflect the building's long history and antiquity.

The residence was originally built in the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1866), constructed by Shen Hongfu, Shen Congwen’s grandfather who once served as the Governor-General of Guizhou in the Qing army, after purchasing and demolishing an old residential property. It covers an area of 600 square meters. Shen Congwen spent his childhood and adolescent years here, leaving Fenghuang at the age of 15 to embark on a rugged life journey. He served as a soldier in the old army, drifted along the Yuan River basin in western Hunan, and at the age of 19 ventured to Beijing, living a life of hardship and destitution. Through diligent and assiduous effort, Mr. Shen Congwen made significant contributions in literature and archaeology, becoming a celebrated contemporary writer and historian.

The building is adorned with horse-head walls and intricately carved windows and doors, all small, unique, classic, and full of antique charm. The entire structure embodies the rich architectural characteristics of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings in western Hunan. From a cultural perspective, the Former Residence of Shen Congwen is even more a profound and inexhaustibly enriching cultural hall. It stands as an enduring cultural monument forged with Shen Congwen’s heart and soul, as well as an everlasting scenic gem of the ancient town of Fenghuang.

Ticket / Opening Hours

20 RMB. A combined ticket with seven attractions—the Miao Frontier Great Wall, Shen Congwen’s Former Residence, Dongmen City Wall, Yang Family Ancestral Hall, Qiliang Cave, Tuojiang River Boat Ride, and Xiong Xiling’s Former Residence—is 148 RMB.

Suggested Visit Duration

0.5–1 hour

Transportation

Accessible on foot within the ancient town. Turn into a small alley called Zhongying Street from beside the “Fenghuang City” archway.

Opening Hours

Winter: 08:00–17:30; Summer: 07:30–18:00

Location

No. 24, Zhongying Street, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (within the ancient town)

Shen Congwen (1902–1988), a famous Chinese writer, whose original name was Shen Yuehuan and pen names included Xiuyunyun, Jiachen, Shangguan Bi, and Xuanruo, with the childhood name Maolin and courtesy name Chongwen. A native of Fenghuang, Hunan, his grandmother Liu was of the Miao ethnicity, his mother Huang Suying was Tujia, and his grandfather Shen Hongfu was Han. Therefore, Shen Congwen could identify with any of these three ethnicities, but he personally had a stronger affinity for the Miao people, and many of his literary works depict Miao customs.

Shen Congwen was a writer and researcher of historical relics. At the age of 14, he joined the military and wandered through Hunan and Sichuan... More detailed information about Shen Congwen ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in China