Former Residence of Shi Pingmei

Former Residence of Shi Pingmei

The former residence of Shi Pingmei is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

The former residence of Shi Pingmei is located in the suburbs of Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, and is referred to by locals as the "Shi Family Garden" in Xiaohé. The "Shi Family Garden" was first built during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, boasting a history of nearly 300 years. It earned its name due to a small, exquisite garden within the residence.

The "Shi Family Garden" is situated on a hillside and looks like a phoenix spreading its wings from afar, while exuding a majestic aura up close. The main residence covers a construction area of approximately 10,000 square meters, consisting of 21 interconnected three-sided and four-sided courtyards, along with auxiliary courtyards, arranged both vertically and horizontally. There are doors within doors and courtyards within courtyards. These courtyards are connected by stone steps, linked by pathways, or aligned so that they can be viewed through windows. The garden includes 65 cave dwellings and 112 tiled houses, adorned with uniquely designed and exquisitely crafted brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings found throughout.

After examination, cultural heritage experts have concluded that the Shi Family Garden integrates the essences of architecture, aesthetics, and folklore. It is considered an outstanding architectural cultural heritage of China, possessing significant artistic value.

Shi Pingmei (1902 – September 18, 1928) was one of the modern Chinese female writers with the shortest life span. She was a native of Pingding County, Shanxi Province. Her childhood name was Xinzhu, and her formal name was Rubi. She admired the beauty and resilience of plum blossoms and thus chose the pen name Shi Pingmei; she also used other pen names such as Miss Pingmei, Bowei, Shuxue, Binghua, Xinzhu, Mengdai, and Lina. Shi Pingmei’s father, Shi Ming (also known as Dingcheng), was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations during the late Qing Dynasty; her mother, who was her father’s second wife, cherished her as the apple of their eye. From a young age, Shi Pingmei was nurtured by her family’s scholarly background: her father taught her the basics, instructing her in the “Four Books…” More details about Shi Pingmei ++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units