Former Residence of Zhao Shuli

Former Residence of Zhao Shuli

The Former Residence of Zhao Shuli is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

Former Residence of Zhao Shuli (including his Former Residence in Qingshui)

Former Residence of Zhao Shuli (including his Former Residence in Qingshui) (Fourth Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites)

Era: Republican Period

Address: No. 15 Nanhua Gate, Xinghualing District, Taiyuan City

The former residence of Zhao Shuli is located at No. 15 Nanhua Gate, Xinghualing District, covering a construction area of 315.45 square meters. The residence is a three-courtyard compound enclosed by a wall, featuring traditional gray-tiled roofs and brick-and-wood architecture, representing a typical northern Chinese dwelling from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republican Period. A stone tablet at the entrance bears five large characters “Zhao Shuli’s Former Residence,” inscribed by Bo Yibo.

In early 1965, Zhao Shuli and his family moved into this courtyard, where he spent the last few years of his life until his passing in 1970 in the bedroom of the west wing. The west room and the east room served as his living quarters with his children and his study respectively, while the south room functioned as the kitchen and guest room. In 1996, Bo Yibo wrote an inscription for Zhao Shuli’s former residence. In 1998, the Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau approved the establishment of a cultural heritage site at the writer’s former home. The residence was renovated and opened to the public in 2006 on the centenary of Zhao Shuli’s birth. On the white marble wall in the courtyard’s north side, carved inscriptions display personal evaluations and critical essays about Zhao Shuli by Peng Dehuai, Guo Moruo, and Mao Dun. The east wing serves as the first exhibition hall, presenting a collection of historical photos under four themes: “A Child from a Poor Family,” “A Wandering Stranger,” “Fame in the Taihang Mountains,” “Rising with ‘Ten Thousand Things Tower,’” “Devotion to ‘Three Li Bay,’” “Hardship at ‘Ten Li Inn,’” “The Pine and Cypress Know the Cold,” and “Integrity Fills the Universe.” These themes showcase Zhao Shuli’s novels, films adapted from his works, illustrations, and woodblock prints. The west wing is the second exhibition hall, featuring exhibits related to Zhao Shuli’s daily life, writing, personal belongings, and sculptures. The south wing is the third exhibition hall, displaying illustrations of Zhao Shuli’s works, primarily original artworks by renowned painters such as Gu Yuan, Yan Han, Luo Gongliu, and Li Qun. In 2004, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People’s Government of Shanxi Province.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites