The "Foreign-Style House" on Baozi Mountain

The "Foreign-Style House" on Baozi Mountain

When it comes to Baozi Mountain in Wutongqiao, people often think of the history of the “foreign-style house.” Once, the “foreign-style house” became an iconic building in Wutongqiao. It is said that in the second year of the Republic of China (1913), Yuan Shikai plotted to restore the imperial system and ascend the throne. He established the “Preparatory Constitutional Committee” and sought a “Reorganization Loan” from five countries—Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Japan—with the national salt tax revenue as collateral. A General Salt Administration Bureau was set up in Beijing, a Sichuan South Branch in Ziliujing, and a sub-branch in Wutongqiao. A villa was built on Baozi Mountain, known as the “Foreign-Style House on Baozi Mountain.”

The British in Wutongqiao interfered with salt administration, appointing foreigners to deputy positions at all levels of the Salt Administration Bureau, while actual power remained in British hands. The Foreign-Style House on Baozi Mountain was built at that time. According to elderly locals, the building was entirely constructed in European style, with three floors and a height of about 20 meters. Its design was exquisite, featuring both front and back gardens. A foreigner named Ding Sichao would be carried by four bridge coolies, accompanied by two guards and a large wolfhound. He would constantly throw out a bone-shaped wooden stick, which the dog would fetch and bring back. The same routine occurred in the evening, though he did not go to work if the weather was bad.

After the liberation, the foreign-style house was taken over by the public and allocated to impoverished families who had no homes. It was preserved until the mid-1980s under the contract responsibility system. After the implementation of the household responsibility system, wealthier farmers gradually moved out of the house, and this historically significant relic was eventually demolished and sold off. Today, the prosperity of Baozi Mountain has become a thing of the past, leaving behind only a large-scale residential land plot. There is still one farming family living in the original kitchen area.

Why was the villa built on the top of Baozi Mountain? Firstly, because of its serene and pleasant scenery. Additionally, it offers a panoramic view of old Wutongqiao, especially the exit of Siwangguan, all visible from the site—an exceptionally rare and valuable piece of land from a feng shui perspective. Secondly, from the rooftop, one could use a telescope to monitor the transport of salt and coal, making tax evasion futile. This reflects the scientific management and pragmatic work ethic of old-school capitalism. Thirdly, the living quarters were completely separated from ordinary people, with minimal interaction with the public—truly elevated above the common folk...

Local farmers deeply regret the demolition of this building. Had it been preserved to this day, it would have been a tourist attraction in Wutongqiao. One elderly person said that if the foreigners came back, they would give up the land for them to rebuild it. One wonders if the British man Ding Si is still alive and whether he would be interested in returning to rebuild the villa.