Xue Fucheng's Former Residence [Wuxi]

The emperor’s envoy mansion—Xue Fucheng’s former residence was first built in 1890. It was completed in 1894.It was the residence of Xue Fucheng who was the famous thinker, diplomat and presentative of bourgeoisie reformation and modernization born in Wuxi. On the central axis of the former residence, there are six sections,consisting of entrance hall, main hall, room hall, roundabout building, etc. There are also library, east garden, rear garden and west garden. It covers an area of 21,000m2. Now 12,000 m2 was restored and over 6000m2 of floor area was restored. The whole architectural complex is magnificent in momentum and grand in scale. It reflects the times feature at the end of Qing Dynasty when the western world began to influence the east. The architectural style of combining Chinese and western features filled in the gaps of Chinese architectural history. Since 2000, Wuxi municipal government has put great funds in repairing and restoring the former residence. On January 1,2003, the main architectural complex ,east garden and rear garden are open to the public. In 2001, the architectural complex of Xue Fucheng’s former residence was designated as national key protection unit of historical relics in the fifth batch issued by the State Council.

Entrance Hall

The entrance hall is located in the first section of the main building on the central axis in Xue Fucheng’s former residence. Like three other single-story building of the four on the central axis, the building width is 9 bays. Only from this we can see the grand momentum of the whole architecture. It covers and area of 244 m2, consisting of bamboo filigree panel door, general door, east and west gate lodges. It was originally used as gate lodge and Xue’s private school. After liberation, it was used as the office of southern Jiangsu Administration. Later it was occupied by Wuxi Houxixi Primary School and other units for a long time.

Xiyao Hall

Yao is the name of ancient carriage. The hall got its name because Xue Fucheng was once an envoy abroad to England, France, Italy and Belgium. Originally it was separated into three parts by fine brick walls and traveling doors. The middle part was for sedan landing for the host and guests. The eastern and western parts served as waiting rooms where the guests could drink tea. The green wollen official sedan chair, the official costume of diplomats of Qing Dynasty and the ceremonial dress of the official’s wife displayed here are replications according to the originals.

Wuben Hall

Originally Xue’s family engaged in farming generation after generation. 'Wuben' has the implication to warn its descendants not to forget that farming is essential. It was the place where guests were received and important activities were held. The guests might either enter the east side hall to recite or compose poetry, appreciate paintings, play musical instrument or chess, or enter the west side hall to talk about the past and present, discuss state affairs. Its craft is the most exquisite in the whole architectural complex. The painted ridgepole is decorated with phoenix, it is splendid. The fine bricks and wood carvings are exquisite, showing ingenuity. It reflects the highest level of architectural craft at that time.

Huiran Hall

It was the place where close relatives and females were received and guests were entertained. There is a verse in The Book of Songs: to come gladly and willingly. The hall was named after this. In the middle of the hall, there is a drawing of ' Hundred longevity characters ' which was carved on six choice nanmu pieces. It expressed the good wish of Xue Fucheng’s eldest son Xue Nanming who prayed for a long life for his father. The screen doors on both sides were carved with flowers and trees in four seasons. The nice lines of poem in Tang Dynasty written by famous calligraphers added taste to this hall.

Roundabout Building

It is also called race course building and circular building. It was originally the residence of Xue’s family. It is the largest and most characteristic place in the architectural complex of Xue Fucheng’s former residence. The building width is 11 bays. Its size is largest of all known similar buildings in China. When the building was constructed, the Xues used imported equipment to process the wooden balustrade. Imported wooden panels were used for ceiling upstairs. Hundreds of ornament lights adopted traditional Chinese auspicious patterns with great variety of designs. Chinese and foreign crafts and materials are in complete harmony, fully embodying the unique style of combination of Chinese and western architecture. After liberation , it was occupied by school and residents for a long time. The east side of the first section was the bedroom of Xue Nanming, the son of Xue Fucheng, which was restored according to the originals. The west side is used as an exhibition room for Xue Fucheng’s life and deeds.

Chuanjing Building ( Library )

Xue Fucheng was once the administrator of Ningbo, Shaoxing, Taizhou, Zhejiang. At that time he highly praised the famous book collection building Tianyige in Ningbo. So he asked his son Xue Nanming to construct a book collection building here according to the model of Tianyige. And named it as 'Chuanjing' ( pass on valuable experience ). In the past there were tens of thousands of books stored here. After liberation the books were accepted and kept by historical relic management committee of southern Jiangsu Administration office. Now they are stored in Nanjing Museum, Nanjing Library and Suzhou University respectively. If we recall the past, people of virtue or enjoyed music, this was the happiest thing to do at that time.

Billiard Room

It is the only western style building in the former residence. It adopted western steel windows and color glass, Xue Nanming once visited Japan and England. He brought back snooker, put it in this room and played it with his relations and friends.

Industrial and commercial Association ( Ware house )

Xue’s family lived in the northern countryside of Wuxi for many generations. They owned over 6000 mu of nice fields. This place was originally the warehouse of Xue’s family to store grains and collect rent. It consists of a row of storage room, a piece of sunning ground, an accountant room and sitting room for administrators. Later, Xue Nanming initiated industry and commerce, helped Zhou Shenqing set up Wuxi Commercial Association and assumed chairman of the third session. Gradually here became the site of industrial and commericial association. Now 16 square bricks with carved words are displayed, they are things left behind by the deceased. Wuxi is the birthplace of Chinese national industry and commerce. This room can be a proof to it. According to the plan, Here the original layout of industrial and commercial association will be restored.

Duizhao Hall

Its architectural style is common in south of Yangtze River. The construction is exquisite and ingenious. It is small yet appears large. The south hall was once Xue Nanming’s office. The north hall was the place where Xue Nanming discussed business with merchants.

Loquat Garden

It is an important component part on the east axis. In the past , it was used as one of the kitchens for a time. Now the ruins can still be seen . The well in the garden is original. The style of well and its pavilion implies that the heaven is round and the earth is square, the fortune will not flow outward. Curved corridor winds through the garden, loquats hang on branches. The garden still exists but people here are not the same ones. Pondering present and past, all sorts of feelings well up in the mind.

Yinfengxuan ( flower hall, theatre )

It is an important component part of east garden. It forms an independent garden with tasteful scenes. It was built by Xue Nanming for celebrating Xue Fucheng’s 60th birthday. Unfortunately Xue Fucheng died at the age of 57 and didn’t have the chance to use it . Later when his daughter-in-law, Xue Nanming’s wife Wu celebrated her 60th birthday, famous actors and actresses from Wuxi and Shanghai were invited to give performance for several days. That was the first and last performance presented here. Now it is renovated and we can imagine the scenes at that time. It is lucky for people today.