China Famous Celebrity Former Residence Study Tour Museum -- Beijing Volume

Author: Read Pictures Era Editorial
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: 10 historical and cultural cities; 260 influential figures in China; 300 weathered old houses; 2,000 precious exclusive photographs—creating a deep cultural exploration space for you. Currently, a "cultural heritage fever" is on the rise. Imperial palaces and mausoleums, Buddhist and Taoist grottoes and temples, scholar-official gardens and pavilions, as well as ordinary folk's ancient towns and villages, have all garnered unprecedented attention. But amidst this buzz, have we missed anything? China's 5,000-year uninterrupted social development and cultural heritage, reborn after the turbulent times since the late Qing Dynasty, relies on what kind of strength? And why has it been so fraught with challenges? Of course, it is not due to divine favor or disfavor, but rather the efforts or shortcomings of "people." At the forefront of major historical eras, "celebrities"—whether political and military figures or cultural luminaries—are a group that plays a significant, even decisive, role. Once elevated as representatives or symbols of a certain group, their individual lives cease to be mere personal journeys and experiences. Their aspirations, actions, and moral character, as well as their joys, sorrows, and subtle thoughts, all participate in shaping China's identity, making them the key reasons why China is what it is today. They are the core and soul that one must delve into to truly understand China. Though these individuals have passed away, the old houses they once lived in and the objects they used, though worn and faded by time, still retain their essence and carry dense cultural codes. These unique and precious cultural heritage sites are scattered among the ordinary streets and alleys of cities, likely right around us, waiting to be discovered, experienced, and interpreted.
To this end, China Pictorial Publishing House has specially launched the "China Famous Celebrity Former Residence Study Series." This series has three distinctive features: First, it is the first comprehensive survey, compilation, and documentation of the cultural landscape of "celebrity former residences" in the publishing industry. This series selects ten cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Xiamen, Kunming, and Shaoxing. These cities span east to west and north to south, all being historical and cultural hubs with special significance in modern Chinese history, and are also cities where celebrity former residences are most concentrated and relatively well-preserved. While some of these cities have previously published books on celebrity former residences, they are unrelated and primarily local historical works. In contrast, this series stands out for its completeness and coherence. The political, economic, and cultural statuses of these ten cities are distinctly unique, and the groups of celebrities they attract and absorb are diverse, making their former residences equally varied. Beijing, as a 700-year-old imperial capital, naturally attracts celebrities from all walks of life, most of whom reside in the city's numerous hutongs, transforming these alleyways and siheyuan into a vast cultural "web," filled with an ethereal cultural atmosphere that allows one to momentarily forget the noise and chaos of the streets. Shanghai, as a microcosm and epitome of modernization and modernization in China, is home to celebrity former residences far beyond the opulent retreats of comprador tycoons and famous women. Instead, they hold profound and substantial meanings. Guangzhou, a city at the forefront of change since modern times, continuously sends new ideas and figures (whether reformists or revolutionaries) inland and northward. Nanjing is both a traditional cultural center and the capital of the Republic of China; Hangzhou, with its beautiful mountains and clear waters and comfortable living, has become a relatively pure southern cultural hub; Shaoxing is where many influential figures across the nation spent their childhoods; Qingdao and Xiamen, two beautiful coastal cities, have attracted numerous cultural celebrities due to unique circumstances, making them "temporary" cities. Xiamen, in particular, has a strong Minnan regional character; Kunming comforted celebrities during the turbulent years of the War of Resistance Against Japan and also earned itself a precious cultural heritage. Tianjin is unique—here, the celebrities who reside are mostly "antiheroes," with power struggles and career battles often taking place in Beijing, while Tianjin serves as their backstage for behind-the-scenes manipulation, waiting for a comeback or simply surviving. This has given rise to a unique "retired official" culture.
The second feature is the intellectual depth, personal experience, and engaging nature of the series. The celebrities selected for this series are primarily from the late Qing Dynasty to modern times, spanning politics, economics, and military fields, with a particular focus on intellectuals and cultural figures. The authors are over a dozen doctoral and master's students from renowned universities such as Fudan University, Nanjing University, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Xiamen University, Yunnan University, Hebei University, and Qingdao University. As modern youth passionate about Chinese history and culture, they have personally visited and researched celebrity former residences in their respective cities, not just for casual sightseeing but for deep "cultural" reflection. The celebrity former residences in this series are not simply listed by street addresses but are categorized and explained based on the identities, personalities, and temperaments of the celebrities, offering a structurally innovative approach. The content includes descriptions of the current state of the former residences, introductions to the celebrities' lives, their achievements or legends during their time of residence, and their reflections and critiques of history. For great figures or masters, the series not only commemorates their accomplishments, spirit, and demeanor but also attempts to engage in an equal dialogue with their souls, exploring the ordinary aspects of their lives. For those deemed "antiheroes," the series avoids hasty judgments of right or wrong, instead reflecting on their destinies and roles within the historical context. For some figures overlooked by official history, the series strives to present a more authentic and diverse historical perspective.
Due to the involvement of ten cities, a delightful outcome has emerged: some of the most influential celebrities have left their former residences in several of these cities. Though each is told separately, linking the entire series together allows one to clearly trace their life trajectories. For example, Lu Xun was born in Shaoxing, gained fame in Beijing, stayed temporarily in Xiamen, had a "" in Guangzhou, and spent his final years in Shanghai. Almost all the old houses he lived in are featured in the series, offering a unique perspective to create a special "biography" of this cultural giant, which holds great significance. Figures like Soong Ching-ling,, Kang Youwei, and Li Shu also share similar stories. This should be another shining point of the series.
The third feature is the invaluable historical materials and certain practicality. Most of the celebrity former residences featured in the series are not open to the public. The over 2,000 photographs taken on-site provide a substantial record. Thus, the series is not only a faithful chronicler but also an advocate for greater concern and protection of cultural heritage. While this is a human geography book, not a travel guide, detailed "tips" and distribution maps of former residences in each city are included to assist those interested in and fond of celebrity former residences.
The ten volumes of "China Famous Celebrity Former Residence Study Series" represent a grand cultural endeavor. They are not an ending but a promising beginning. These ten cities cannot be said to encompass all of China's celebrity former residences. In cities like Fuzhou, Suzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, and Changsha, equally captivating cultural landscapes still await discovery and understanding. Here, at the heart of the "Central Kingdom," countless people come with dreams. Celebrities from all over the world mostly reside in the numerous hutongs of the capital. These alleyways and siheyuan, no longer just ordinary dwellings, form a vast cultural "web." Though the glamour of the past has faded, standing in the courtyards where they once lived and wandering through the alleys they once traversed, the ethereal cultural atmosphere still allows one to momentarily forget the noise and chaos of the streets, immersing themselves in introspection and meditation.