Former Residence of Xu Xiangqian

Former Residence of Xu Xiangqian

The former residence of Xu Xiangqian is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a classic red tourism attraction, and a patriotic education base.

The former residence of Xu Xiangqian is located in Yong’an Village, Dongye Town, about 20 kilometers southeast of Wutai County, Shanxi Province. It was originally built in the early years of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty. In 1901, Marshal Xu Xiangqian was born here. This is a typical northern Shanxi-style courtyard residence. The main house faces the courtyard, flanked by wing rooms. The upper and lower floors were where Marshal Xu worked and studied during his youth. Inside the residence, there is a small wooden desk that Marshal Xu used for studying as a child, the marshal’s uniform that Mao Zedong presented to him during the 1955 award ceremony, as well as his wool sweaters, military uniforms, and other clothing items. The original handwritten copies of two of his favorite ancient poems — “Ode to Lime” and “Though the Tortoise Lives Long” — are also preserved here. Each artifact and photo reflects the revolutionary elder’s lifelong dedication to the cause of revolution and his simple, unadorned lifestyle.

The residence faces south and is a single-courtyard quadrangle covering an area of 856 square meters. The main house is a two-story wooden building with three bays and a flush gable roof, flanked by two side rooms. There are six rooms on each of the east and west sides, and the entrance is through a decorative archway. In 1991, the wooden building and gate of the residence were restored. In 1995, an exhibition room was built, displaying Marshal Xu Xiangqian’s personal effects such as his uniforms and patched clothes, as well as historical photos and materials from his revolutionary life. In 2001, the front courtyard of the residence was renovated. In May 2006, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council. (From “A Collection of Cultural Relics in Xinzhou”)

Yong’an Village is located southeast of Dongye Town, on the southern side of Mount Wutai and the northern bank of the Hutuo River. It is 2.5 kilometers from Dongye Town. In front of the village runs the east-west Shuohuang Railway, and to the east lies the newly built Xinfu Expressway. The village layout is compact, rational, flat, and neat. In December 2016, Yong’an Village was included in the fourth batch of China’s Traditional Villages by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and other departments.

The residence also displays an exhibition on Marshal Xu’s life and calligraphy inscriptions dedicated to him by other proletarian revolutionaries of the older generation, such as Li Xiannian. The atmosphere is solemn and unadorned, and it has been listed as a patriotic education base for young people. On May 25, 2006, the former residence of Xu Xiangqian was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Xu Xiangqian (1901–1990), originally named Xu Xiangqian, courtesy name Zijing, was a native of Wutai County, Shanxi Province. He was a great proletarian revolutionary, outstanding military strategist, and statesman. He was one of the founders and leaders of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and one of the Ten Marshals of the PLA.

Among the Ten Marshals of the People’s Republic of China, Xu Xiangqian was the only one from northern China. He was born on November 8, 1901, in Yong’an Village, Wutai County, Shanxi Province, which lies on the northern bank of the Hutuo River. The village was originally named Bojia Village. His father, Xu Maozhun, was a scholar in the late Qing Dynasty, and his mother... More details about Xu Xiangqian ++

Yong’an Village: Yong’an Village is situated on the southern side of Mount Wutai and the northern bank of the Hutuo River, 2.5 kilometers from Dongye Town, southeast of the town. In front of the village runs the east-west Shuohuang Railway, and to the east lies the newly built Xinfu Expressway. The village layout is compact, rational, flat, and neat. The village has a population of 734, including 31 non-agricultural residents and 26 Party members. The arable land area is 850 mu, all of which is irrigated. There are 280 laborers, with an average income of around 1,800 yuan per person. ... More details about Yong’an Village ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units