Former Residence of Gong Zizhen

Former Residence of Gong Zizhen

The former residence of Gong Zizhen is a cultural tourism attraction.

Destination Introduction

The former residence of Gong Zizhen is located at No. 21 Shoupa Hutong, Xicheng District. It was one of the residences Gong Zizhen lived in while in Beijing. The residence faces south and features a three-courtyard layout, along with east and west wing courtyards. The front courtyard has three main north-facing rooms, two wing rooms on each side, and three rooms each on the east and west sides. In its heyday, the courtyard housed an imperial calligraphy plaque inscribed with the character “Fu” (福, meaning “blessing”) by Emperor Daoguang, as well as a sign for the “Gengdu Hall” (耕读堂, meaning “Farming and Reading Hall”). The residence has been largely preserved in its original state. Gong Zizhen (1792–1841), from Renhe, Zhejiang (modern-day Hangzhou), was renowned for his poetry and prose, developing a unique style known as the “Gong School.” He resigned from his official post in 1839 and returned home. Gong Zizhen was a progressive thinker, celebrated poet, and literary figure of modern China. Highly erudite and deeply concerned about the future and fate of the nation, he strongly supported Lin Zexu’s anti-opium efforts and authored numerous political essays criticizing and exposing the realities of feudal society. The residence originally consisted of living quarters in the front and a garden in the back. In 1831, he sold the property to Pan Shicheng, a native of Panyu County, Guangdong, who later donated it to his fellow townsmen, turning it into the Panyu Guild Hall. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit.

Covering an area of over 600 square meters, the site now serves as the Gong Zizhen Memorial Hall. The main structure is a two-story building designed in the Qing Dynasty architectural style, featuring five bays on each floor, along with wing rooms. It boasts carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an elegant and classic charm. The central hall houses a half-length bronze statue of Gong Zizhen, surrounded by plaques and couplets inscribed by renowned calligraphers such as Sha Menghai and Zhao Puchu. Four exhibition rooms display a biographical pictorial introduction to Gong Zizhen, a chronological timeline of major events, the printed version of the "Ding'an Collection" (《定庵集》), historical documents, a chronology of the Gong family, selected poems, and research collections by later scholars. The courtyard is adorned with small bridges, flowing water, rockeries, and pavilions, complemented by floral greenery, all contributing to a classical garden ambiance.

Location: No. 21 Shoupa Hutong, Xicheng District

Area: Over 600 square meters

Beijing Xicheng District

Gong Zizhen (August 22, 1792 – September 26, 1841), courtesy name Seren (塞人), art name Ding’an (定庵), was a Han Chinese from Renhe (modern-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang). In his later years, he resided at Yushan Pavilion in Kunshan, also adopting the art name Yushan Min (羽山民). He was a thinker, poet, litterateur, and a pioneer of reformism during the Qing Dynasty.

Gong Zizhen once held official positions such as Inner Cabinet Scribe, Director of the Imperial Clan Court, and Director of the Ministry of Rites. He advocated for the reform of corrupt policies and resisted foreign aggression, and he strongly supported Lin Zexu’s efforts to ban opium. At the age of 48, he resigned from office and returned south, passing away the following year at Yunyang Academy in Danyang, Jiangsu. His literary works promoted the idea of “reforming laws…”