Former Residence of Song Cao

　　Located on Ruxue Street in the city center. The courtyard of the Former Residence of Song Cao features exotic rocks embracing water and surrounded by bamboo, with simple and elegant houses, pavilions, and corridors. It also showcases a remarkable collection of ancient and modern stone inscriptions and calligraphic works, making it a cultural landmark with distinctive Ming and Qing architectural charm.

　　Song Cao (1620–1701), styled Chen and also known as She ling, served as a Zhongshu official during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty before resigning from office to live in seclusion. He supported his mother through humble means. Song Cao chose a life of reclusion in the mountains, was well-read and erudite, yet repeatedly declined official summons. Fond of travel, he excelled in calligraphy and was skilled in poetry and prose. His surviving works include stone engravings of regular and cursive scripts, Calligraphy Aphorisms, and the Poetry Collection of Huaiqiu Hall. He is the only renowned calligrapher from ancient Yancheng recorded in historical texts.

　　

　　Song Cao (1620~1701)　　Song Cao (1620–1701), styled Binchen and also known as She ling, served as a Zhongshu official during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty before resigning from office to live in seclusion. He supported his mother through humble means. Song Cao chose a life of reclusion in the mountains, was well-read and erudite, yet repeatedly declined official summons. Fond of travel, he excelled in calligraphy and was skilled in poetry and prose. His surviving works include stone engravings of regular and cursive scripts, Calligraphy Aphorisms, and the Poetry Collection of Huaiqiu Hall. He is the only renowned calligrapher from ancient Yancheng recorded in historical texts. The courtyard of the Former Residence of Song Cao features exotic rocks embracing water and surrounded by bamboo, with simple and elegant houses, pavilions, and corridors. It also showcases a remarkable collection of ancient and modern stone inscriptions and calligraphic works, making it a cultural landmark with distinctive Ming and Qing architectural charm. Styled Binchen and also known as She ling, he referred to himself as the Recluse Farmer by the Sea. A native of Dayue Lake North Songzhuang (now part of Yandu County). His surviving literary works include... More+