The Shi Zuorui Residence

The Shi Zuorui Residence

The Shi Zuorui Residence is a cultural relic protection unit of Gansu Province.

The Shi Zuorui Residence is located on Shijia Lane, Jiefang Road, Qincheng District, Tianshui City. It covers an area of over 5,000 square meters, comprising seven buildings with approximately 150 rooms in total. The architectural layout is unique, featuring both unity and diversity. Each functional space—including living quarters, studies, the family shrine, and guest rooms—has its own enclosed courtyard, and each courtyard has its own independent entrance. The main old courtyard of the Shi residence is the largest, with a three-courtyard layout upon entry, while the others have a single-courtyard layout. The main and guest areas within the courtyards are clearly separated. The main hall, corridors, side rooms, and reverse-facing rooms are proportionally spaced, with steps ranging from one to five levels. Most of the buildings feature hanging gables, while a few have flush gables or hip-and-gable roofs. The main gates of each courtyard mostly have a double-door design. Each courtyard includes a screen wall, decorative wall, and flower stands, with some having up to four screen walls and others as few as two. The residence’s distinctive architectural layout and exquisite woodcarving craftsmanship make it a rare and valuable resource for studying ancient residential architecture in the Tianshui region during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Shi Zuorui lived during the Qianlong to Jiaqing reigns of the Qing Dynasty and once served as a county magistrate and circuit intendant. Known for his integrity and philanthropy, in the eighth year of the Jiaqing reign (1803), he donated 50 taels of silver to renovate the Tianshui Chenghuang Temple. Records of this donation can be found in the surviving beam inscriptions and fragmented steles within the temple. After retiring in his seventies, he returned to his hometown and passed away in Tianshui.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units in Gansu Province