Former Residence of Zhao Chengshou

Former Residence of Zhao Chengshou

The former residence of Zhao Chengshou is located at No. 1 Hongdamen Alley, Huaiyin Village, Dongye Town, Wutai County. Zhao Chengshou (1891–1968), courtesy name Yinpu, was a native of Huaiyin. He once served as Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Military Region and Commander-in-Chief of the Field Army.

In 1948, after being captured by the People's Liberation Army during the Shanxi Campaign, he defected and made contributions to the liberation of Shanxi. After the establishment of New China, he was appointed as a counselor in the Ministry of Water Resources by the central government. The residence faces south and originally had a one-courtyard, two-compound layout. Only the front courtyard remains today, which is a Qing Dynasty structure covering an area of 635 square meters. The main hall (originally a passageway) is five bays wide and five rafters deep, with a flush gable and hip roof, featuring a front corridor. The central bay has a door, while the side bays have windows. The gate is a single bay, two rafters deep, with a flush gable and hip roof. The gate facade is adorned with Western-style brick pillars, with a wooden panel door in the center. At the top of the gate is a brick-carved Taiji diagram, with ten stone-carved cloud-shaped ornaments on the roof, and brick reliefs of peony flowers. Two mounting stones are placed on either side of the gate; the gate tunnel has collapsed. Upon entering, there is a brick screen wall.

Source: Xinzhou Net

Zhao Chengshou, courtesy name Yinfu, was from Wutai, Shanxi, born in 1891. His father, Zhao Changgeng, courtesy name Xingxi, was a former Qing Dynasty student and a candidate for teaching positions, making a living as a teacher. Zhao Chengshou studied under his father in his early years before attending the Guojiazhai Wenxi School, the earliest school founded in Wutai County. In 1909, he pursued further studies in the provincial capital at the Army Primary School. Following the 1911 revolution in Taiyuan, Zhao Chengshou, along with classmates such as Xu Peimei and Wang Jingguo, joined the Xindaining Public Corps, serving as a drill instructor. After the corps disbanded, he continued his education, first at the Qinghe Army Middle School and then at the Baoding Military Academy. In September 1918, he graduated from the fifth class of the Cavalry Department at Baoding Military Academy. Soon after… More details about Zhao Chengshou++

Huaiyin Village: Backed by Longshan Mountain and fronted by the Hutuo River and Xiaohuanghe River, where the two rivers converge, Huaiyin Village boasts uniquely beautiful scenery, a mild and moist climate, and an elevation of 740 meters. Spring arrives particularly early here, earning it the reputation of “Early Greenery in Huaiyin.” The entire village faces south and stretches narrowly from east to west, spanning 4 kilometers in length. Villager homes are scattered across high ridges and deep valleys, among which are numerous residences built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as many cultural relics and historic sites. Notably, in the center of the village stands a school built as early as 1934. The school is divided into five levels and seven courtyards according to the terrain’s elevation, creating a staggered and well-arranged layout that exemplifies typical Ming and Qing architectural style. 201… More details about Huaiyin Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units