Former Residence Memorial of Li Shutong

　　Li Shutong’s former residence is situated at No. 62 Liangdian Street, Hebei District. This Qing Dynasty structure has stood for more than 150 years. The property is composed of four sets of courtyard houses arranged in a field-like layout, comprising over 60 rooms across an area of 1,400 square meters. The entire complex was built along the street, facing east with its back to the west. The main gate is a “tiger-seat” gate tower, with an extremely delicate brick carving of the “Hundred Beasts” motif on the lintel. The walls are made of finely matched grey bricks. Facing the entrance is a carved brick screen wall, while on the right side of the gate tower is a reception hall. The front courtyard includes two brick-carved hanging flower gates, with three rooms each on the north and south sides, and five rooms each on the east and west sides. The facades are adorned with wooden decorations carved with motifs of “fishing, woodcutting, farming, and reading.” To the right of the main courtyard, there used to be a smaller yard called “Yiyuan,” featuring a wisteria trellis enclosed by bamboo fences. Within Yiyuan, there was a western-style room that Li Shutong renovated upon returning from his studies in Japan, known as the “foreign-style house.” The eastern room was called the “central study room,” housing over 5,000 volumes of traditional thread-bound ancient books. The courtyard also included covered walkways and a small garden, with exquisitely furnished interiors and an elegant atmosphere. Li Shutong spent most of his time here before moving to Shanghai in 1912. The original residence has since been demolished, with plans for reconstruction, and it is now listed as a cultural relic protection site of Tianjin Municipality.

　　To promote the outstanding culture of the Chinese nation and commemorate this master of modern Chinese culture who was born in Tianjin, the Hebei District Li Shutong Calligraphy Stele Forest was unveiled on October 23, 1990, on Zhouwei Road. The stele forest is designed in the style of a classical garden and features over 80 works of calligraphy from the master’s mid to late career. A 1.2-meter-tall bronze statue of the master stands prominently within the grounds. The stele forest also displays inscriptions by many renowned calligraphers.

　　Li Shutong was a pioneer of China’s New Culture Movement and a globally renowned Buddhist master. Therefore, the walls of the residence also feature inscriptions by the master and other notable figures.

　　Li Shutong’s former residence officially opened to the public in 2012. It is a Qing Dynasty building in a field-like layout, boasting a history of 150 years.

　　In the exquisite and tranquil courtyards, you can find the Tongda Bank, a Buddhist hall, living quarters, a Western-style study, a central study, Yiyuan, and more.

　　The residence’s green tiles, gray walls, crimson door and window frames all exude a strong traditional cultural ambiance.

　　The memorial also hosts special exhibitions from time to time.

　　Suggested Duration

　　30 minutes – 1 hour

　　Transportation

　　Take bus lines 15, 154, 172, 461, 600 Outer Ring, 633, 653, 675, 681, 804, 856, 863, 903, 907 Air-conditioned, 908, 954, Xilu Special Line, etc., and get off at Wanghailou Station. Walk about 330 meters to reach the destination.

　　Admission

　　Currently free admission; registration required with valid ID such as a passport or ID card

　　Opening Hours

　　9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:30, closed on Mondays)

　　Location

　　Inside No. 60 Liangdianhou Street, Hebei District, Tianjin (at the intersection of Haihe East Road and Binhai Avenue)

　　Address: Intersection of Haihe East Road and Binhai Avenue, Hebei District

　　Phone: 24458572

　　Master Hongyi (1880~1942)　　Li Shutong (1880–1942), also known as Li Xishuang, Li An, and Li Liang, with the courtesy name Wentao, childhood name Chengxi, given name Guanghou, pen name Xishuang, and alias Shutong. Li Shutong was a renowned musician, art educator, calligrapher, and drama activist, and one of the pioneers of Chinese spoken drama. After returning from his studies in Japan, he worked as a teacher, then later became a monk, adopting the Dharma name Yanyin and the monastic name Hongyi, with the late-stage alias Wanqing Laoren. He was later respectfully referred to as Master Hongyi. In 1913, he was appointed as a music and art teacher at Zhejiang Two-Level Normal School (later renamed Zhejiang First Provincial Normal School). Starting in 1915, he also served as an adjunct instructor at Nanjing Higher Normal School... More+