Lao She Memorial Hall

　　As a cultural heritage site under the protection of Beijing Municipality, Lao She’s former residence is an ordinary Beijing-style courtyard house. It features a flush-gable roof with purlins, is entirely made of wood, and the entire compound is laid out in a compact fashion. The main gate faces east and is situated on the west side, with a gray-tiled gatehouse and black-painted doors. Upon entering, the first thing you see is a brick screen wall in the center of which is a large red “Fu” (福, meaning “good fortune”) character used as decoration. Going further inside, there is a small courtyard with just two southern rooms that serve as the gatehouse; to the west, there is a narrow and long courtyard that was the living quarters of Lao She’s son, Shu Yi; to the north lies a three-sided courtyard, which is the main part of the former residence. Upon entering, you’ll first see a colorful wooden screen wall. The main room in the courtyard is the northern house with three rooms, each flanked by a side room. The central room and the western side room serve as the living room, the eastern side room is the bedroom, and the western side room functions as Lao She’s study. The desk faces the east door, allowing one to easily reach the books embedded in the wall cabinet. The desk is made of hardwood inlaid with marble. Also on display are items that Lao She used during his lifetime, such as his glasses, fountain pen, ink bottle, ashtray, desk lamp, radio, and calendar. It was in this small room that Lao She wrote his famous plays such as “Fang Zhenzhu” (The Pearl), “Longxugou” (Dragon Beard Ditch), “Chaguan” (Teahouse), “Xiwang Chang’an” (Looking West to Chang’an), “Quanjiufu” (Happy Family), and over 20 other plays including “Shenquan” (The Divine Fist), written in memory of his father.

　　In addition, there is a large collection of traditional Chinese comedic performances, essays, poems, academic papers, essays, and an unfinished autobiographical novel “Zheng Hongqi Xia” (Under the Red Flag). The living room is furnished with sofas, a long case table, a carved round hardwood table, stools, and a multi-tiered display cabinet. On the sunlit windowsill and tea table facing south, various potted plants and flower arrangements are displayed. The west wall is adorned with calligraphy and paintings gifted by renowned traditional Chinese painters, which Lao She loved. According to Lao She’s wife Hu Jieqing, these artworks were originally changed every few days, and each time they were replaced, Lao She would carefully admire them for a long while. Here, Lao She hosted many famous artists and friends from both China and abroad. There are three wing rooms on the east and west sides respectively. The east wing room served as the dining area, while the west wing room was where Lao She’s daughter lived. In the spring of 1953, Mr. Lao She personally planted two persimmon trees in the small courtyard. Every deep autumn, the trees are laden with bright red persimmons, creating a uniquely poetic atmosphere. For this reason, Hu Jieqing fondly named it the “Dan Shi Xiao Yuan” (Courtyard of Red Persimmons).

　　Lao She (1899–1966)　　Lao She (1899–1966)     Chinese writer. His original name was Shu Qingchun, with the courtesy name Shuye. Lao She was his most commonly used pen name. He was of Manchu ethnicity and a native of Beijing. He was born into a poor urban family.     Life and Works: In 1918, he graduated from the Beijing Normal School and held positions such as elementary school principal and rural education officer in the northern suburbs. The democratic, scientific, and individual liberation ideas brought about by the May Fourth New Culture Movement awakened him from his life credo of “diligently running an elementary school, obediently serving parents, and getting married and having children in a proper manner.” The rise of the literary revolution also made him “infatuated with new literature,” thus marking the beginning of a new phase in his life and career...  More+