Duan Qirui’s Former Residence

　　Duan Qirui’s former residence is located in Cangnan Hutong (formerly known as Jizhao Hutong). This residence was originally the mansion of Yunhu, the 22nd son of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. During the Beiyang government period, the estate came into the possession of Duan Qirui. The compound covers an area of 22,642 square meters. When Duan lived here, he renovated the original residence. The central axis still retains a main hall with a barrel-tiled roof, spanning nine bays in width, featuring a double-eaved hipped-gable roof design. In front of the hall lies a courtyard encircled by a pool, with three small stone bridges crossing it. Behind the hall is a square courtyard, within which small buildings have been erected on the east, west, and north sides. Each of the east and west sides also includes a small siheyuan (courtyard house). To the west of the main hall stands a large building covering an area of over 500 square meters. Major structures within the residence such as the main hall, the square courtyard, and the Western-style building remain largely in their original state. It is a key cultural relic protected by Dongcheng District.

　　Duan Qirui (1865–1936)　　Duan Qirui (1865–1936), originally named Qirui, courtesy name Zhiquan, and later known as Zhengdao Laoren in his later years, was a Han Chinese from Hefei, Anhui. He was born on March 6, 1865 (the ninth day of the second lunar month in the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty), and was a politician during the Republican era and the leader of the Anhui Clique warlords. He was a native of Taipingji in Lu’an County (now Jinqiao Township, Feixi County). Born on March 6, 1865 (the ninth day of the second lunar month in the fourth year of the Qing Dynasty’s Tongzhi reign), in his ancestral home three li north of Taipingji in Lu’an County, his grandfather Duan Pei (courtesy name Yunshan) had previously engaged in private salt trading and militia organization with Liu Mingchuan, and was rewarded for his contributions in suppressing the Nian Rebellion, eventually becoming a commander of the Huai Army who led troops in the field. His father, Duan Congwen, was a farmer who made a living by renting and cultivating land. His mother...  Detailed+