Former Residence of Ma Lianliang

　　The former residence of Ma Lianliang is situated between Machang Road and Munan Road on Hebei Road in Heping District. Built in 1937, the building earned the nickname "Bump House" because of its uniquely textured exterior. It is a brick-and-wood structure designed by Italian architect Paolo Bonetti. It is an attached row house, a new residential type influenced by Western terraced housing forms. Its characteristics include a compact overall layout, with units linked together to optimize orientation, lighting, and ventilation. The building's exposed brick wall features scattered "bump bricks," a term describing the rough texture of over-fired bricks. These contrast interestingly with the pearl-like railing of the balcony and the ripple-patterned window decorations, creating a harmonious and distinctive aesthetic. The semicircular arch above the round doorway leads to a cantilevered L-shaped balcony with recessed curves. The interplay of convex and concave elements adds rich three-dimensionality and light-shadow effects, giving the structure a strong Italian style. The residence is now home to Yue Wei Xian Restaurant.

　　

　　Ma Lianliang (1901~1966)　　Ma Lianliang (February 28, 1901 – December 16, 1966), also known by his Muslim name Yusuf, was originally from Fufeng, Shaanxi, but born in Beijing, with the courtesy name Wenru. He was a renowned Chinese Peking opera artist, one of the leading figures in the laosheng (veteran male) role category, founder of the "Ma School" of performance, ranked first among the "Four Great Beards" of Peking opera, one of the "Three Greats" of the Republican-era Peking opera scene, and the flagship performer of the Fufeng Opera Troupe. His representative works include Borrowing the East Wind, Temple of Sweet Dew, Pavilion of Clear Breeze, The Four Successful Candidates, and Loss of the City and Slaying of the Traitor. His father, Ma Xiyuan, was well acquainted with the famous Peking opera actor Tan Xiaopei, and his uncle Ma Kunshan performed in Shanghai. Influenced by his family, Ma Lianliang developed a deep love for Peking opera from a young age... Details+