Zhu De's Former Residence

Zhu De's Former Residence

Zhu De's Former Residence is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhu De’s Former Residence was originally built in the late Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1820 AD), serving as the second dwelling place of the Zhu family ancestors after they migrated from Guangdong to Sichuan. It has a history of over 190 years.

This north-facing, south-oriented earthen-structured house is a typical farmhouse courtyard in northern Sichuan. Zhu De lived here for a full 14 years starting from the age of 9, spending his teenage years. The interior is arranged as it was when Zhu De left home, displaying items used by Zhu De and his family. Above the main hall’s door lintel is a plaque inscribed personally by the literary master Guo Moruo. Beside the house, the “Twin Cypress Trees” and the “Linelang Well” are testaments to Zhu De’s labor and studies in those days.

In 1988, it was designated by the State Council as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

This north-facing, south-oriented earthen-structured house is a typical farmhouse courtyard in northern Sichuan. Zhu De lived here for a full 14 years starting from the age of 9, spending his teenage years. The interior is arranged as it was when Zhu De left home, displaying items used by Zhu De and his family. Above the main hall’s door lintel is a plaque inscribed personally by the literary master Guo Moruo. Beside the house, the “Twin Cypress Trees” and the “Linelang Well” are testaments to Zhu De’s labor and — studies in those days.

In 1988, it was designated by the State Council as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. The entire structure covers an area of more than 2,000 square meters, with a construction area of 336 square meters. The building is divided into three parts: the front section consists of the main hall, wing rooms, and kitchen, all with original earthen walls, blue tile roofs, and yellow earthen floors. The east wing functioned as guest rooms, a silkworm room, and a liquor distillery, all built with timber-framed earthen walls. The west wing included wing rooms and pig and cattle pens, the latter topped with thatched roofs. The whole building features a single-eave gable-and-hip roof with clay walls and wooden panels, presenting a simple yet elegant traditional rural dwelling.

The first room on the west side of the main hall was the bedroom of Zhu De’s grandparents, Zhu Bangjun and his wife, while the upstairs served as Zhu De’s bedroom and study, with the kitchen located in the adjacent corner. Next to the kitchen was the bedroom of Zhu De’s adoptive father, Zhu Shilian, and his wife. The first to third rooms on the east side of the main hall were the bedrooms of Zhu De’s third uncle, Zhu Shihuo, and fourth uncle, Zhu Shilu, and their wives. At that time, the entire family of fourteen people lived crowded in this house.

Zhu De’s Former Residence still displays relics from his childhood, including the desk he used for studying, tung oil lamps, blue linen curtains, a book-carrying basket, an abacus, and an inkstone. In the silkworm room, there is also a preserved "Japanese spinning wheel" (Dongyangche) used for weaving and silk reeling.

Around Zhu De’s Former Residence, many remnants and objects from his youth are still preserved: the square fish pond in front of the gate; stone rollers and mills in the courtyard; the Jialing mulberry trees he planted himself along the field ridges; the Linlang Well he dug by hand on the east side; and the Twin Cypress Trees near the bamboo grove behind the house, which he used for physical exercise like pull-ups.

Historical Background

Zhu De’s Former Residence was built during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (approximately 1820) by Zhu De’s grandfather, Zhu Bangjun. It is a three-courtyard farmstead with three visible rooms and two hidden ones, facing north and south.

With a construction area of 336 square meters, the house remained in the possession of the Zhu family. In 1882, due to a large family, Zhu De’s grandfather Zhu Bangjun moved out to rent another residence in Lijiawan’s Cangwu, leaving this house. Zhu De was born in 1886 in the Lijiawan Cangwu. In 1894, Zhu De returned with his adoptive father Zhu Shilian to live in the old Zhu family house in Zhujiawan, where he lived for fourteen years until leaving his hometown. Later, Zhu De’s third and youngest uncles resided here. In 1979, the Yilong County Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to establish the Memorial Museum of Comrade Zhu De's Former Residence. Special funds were allocated to nationalize the property. After renovation to restore its original appearance, it officially opened to the public on December 1, 1981. On January 15, 1979, the Yilong County Revolutionary Committee issued a notice on strengthening the protection and management of cultural relics at the Zhu De Memorial Site. On January 1, 1981, the Yilong County People’s Government announced a bulletin listing Zhu De’s Former Residence as a county-level cultural relic site. On July 20, 1982, the Yilong County People’s Government promulgated provisional measures for the protection of the Zhu De Memorial Site, and on January 13, 1988, it was designated by the State Council as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. In July 1998, the liquor distillery in the east wing was excavated and restored before reopening to the public. In 2006, Zhu De’s Former Residence underwent structural maintenance, and the western part of the old Zhu family house was also restored.

Geographic Environment

The Zhu De Memorial Site is located at approximately 106°35'27.7" east longitude and 31°27'31.8" north latitude, with an altitude of 438 meters. It features a mid-level hilly and valley landform within a subtropical warm and humid climate zone. The average annual temperature is 16.7°C, with about 1,000 mm of annual rainfall and a long frost-free period. The seasons are characterized by blooming flowers in spring, breezy summers, fragrant autumn harvests, and mild winters, making it highly suitable for plant growth. Lush greenery can be seen year-round, and it lies within the upper Yangtze River soil and water conservation ecological afforestation zone. Main tree species include pine and cypress, followed by camphor, pagoda, and banyan trees. Major crops are rice, corn, sweet potato, peanuts, rapeseed, and potatoes. Common wild animals include turtle doves, pheasants, wild ducks, and rabbits. The seismic fortification intensity for the area is 7 degrees.

The Zhu De Memorial Site is distributed around Linlang Mountain and lies within the scenic area of the same name. The slopes and ridges are covered in dense woods with well-preserved vegetation. The surroundings feature hills, farmland, and ponds, with a small river called Panjia River below, flowing through Yongle and Erdao before joining the Jialing River. A third-tier asphalt road here connects with the circular road of the Zhu De Memorial Park and is adjacent to nearby scenic spots such as Jiaoding Mountain, Linlang Mountain, and Linlang Lake. Local villagers benefit from superior production and — conditions. The government has invested in rural housing construction, and residents enjoy state-subsidized policies for drinking water, —, and basic living allowances. Some villagers are employed within the park, running agritainment businesses and small shops, with per capita income exceeding 7,000 yuan.

Located at the intersection of major transport arteries such as the Yilong-Pingchang Road, Yilong-Beibei Road, Tangjiashi-Bazhong Road, National Highway 318, and Xinzheng-Ma’an Road, the memorial park has secondary and tertiary roads running through it. The journey from Xinzheng to Nanchong is only 120 kilometers, allowing access via Nanchong Airport and Train Station. Currently, two highways connecting to the scenic area are under planning. Stone-paved paths and roads within the area are convenient and interconnected, creating a network that makes visitor access very easy.

Area Scope

Protected Area: 80 meters east to Linlang Well, 170 meters south to the Square Field, 130 meters west to the Jialing Mulberry, and 40 meters north to the road edge.

Construction Control Zone: 155 meters east towards Daiwei residences, 410 meters south towards Square Field, 200 meters west towards Jialing Mulberry, and 80 meters north towards Guandao Mountain.

Management Measures

Zhu De’s Former Residence is managed and maintained daily by the Administration Bureau of Zhu De’s Former Residence.

Development & Utilization

Zhu De’s Former Residence has been open to the public free of charge since March 2008, receiving about 2 million visitors annually.

Ecological Value

Zhu De was a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, and military strategist. He was one of the principal founders of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, a founding father of the People’s Republic of China, and an outstanding leader of the Party and the nation. His lifelong revolutionary endeavors and exceptional achievements have left an indelible legacy.

The Zhu De Hometown Scenic Area, centered around Zhu De’s Former Residence and the adjoining Zhu De Memorial Museum, is located in Ma’an Town, Yilong County, Nanchong City, Sichuan Province. The core scenic area spans 5.6 square kilometers and includes 3 national-level cultural relic protection units and 11 provincial-level ones. It serves as an important place for commemorating Zhu De’s great contributions and educating cadres, the masses, especially minors, in patriotism and revolutionary traditions. It has been designated successively as a National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base, a Primary and Secondary School Patriotic Education Base, a Revolutionary Tradition Education Base for Party Members and Cadres, a National Defense Education Base, and a National Integrity Education Base. It is also recognized as one of China’s Top 100 Classic Red Tourism Attractions, a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction, and a Premium Red Culture Tourism Destination in China. The area boasts rich culture, unique natural landscapes, comprehensive tourism amenities, and currently receives over 2 million visitors annually.

1. Zhu De’s Former Residence (Yilong County)

Protection zone: 80 meters east toward Linlang Well, 170 meters south toward Sifangtian, 130 meters west toward Jialingsang, and 40 meters north toward the highway.

Construction control area: Bounded by the protection zone, 155 meters east toward Daiwei Residence, 410 meters south toward Sifangtian, 200 meters west toward Jialingsang, and 80 meters north toward Guandao Mountain on the highway.

2. Zhu De’s Birthplace (Yilong County)

Protection zone: 100 meters east toward the mountain bend, 150 meters south toward Linlang Lake, 100 meters west toward the bend, and 60 meters north toward Linlang Mountain.

Construction control area: Bounded by the protection zone, 150 meters east toward the village committee, 150 meters south toward Linlang Lake, 120 meters west toward the Manor Agritainment, and 200 meters north toward Linlang Mountain.

3. Kuangchang Zhu De’s Former Residence (Jiangyang District, Luzhou City)

Protection zone: 5 meters outside the gable wall to the east, 5 meters outside the courtyard wall to the south, 8 meters outside the courtyard wall to the west, and the gable wall to the north extending to Yimin Ancient Street.

Construction control area: Bounded by the protection zone, the west side of Dezhengjie Road to the northeast, the north side of Zhongdajie Road to the southeast, the east side of Youyi Street to the southwest, and the south side of Yimin Street Road to the northwest.

Further reading:

· Third Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites