China Famous Celebrity Former Residence Study Tour: Shanghai Volume. Behind the Neon

Author: Read Pictures Era
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: 10 historical and cultural cities; 260 influential figures in China; 300 weathered old houses; 2,000 irreplaceable 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 rely on the efforts or lack thereof of the "human" factor for their resilience and tribulations. It is not due to divine favor or disdain, but rather the result of the actions or inactions of individuals. Those at the forefront of major historical shifts—whether political and military figures or cultural elites—are a group that plays a significant, even decisive, role. Once elevated as representatives or symbols of a group, their individual lives cease to be mere personal journeys and experiences. Their aspirations, deeds, and moral character, as well as their joys, sorrows, and innermost thoughts, all contribute to shaping China's identity, making them the key reasons why China is what it is today. They are the core and soul that must be deeply explored to truly understand China. Though these individuals are gone, 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 Person's Former Residence Study Series." This series has three distinctive features: First, it is the first comprehensive survey, organization, and documentation of the cultural landscape of "famous person's former residence" 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. They are also cities where famous person's former residences are most concentrated and relatively well-preserved. While some of these cities have previously published books on famous person's former residences, they are unrelated and primarily local historical records. In contrast, this series stands out for its completeness and coherence. The political, economic, and cultural identities of these ten cities are distinctly unique, and the groups of famous figures they attract are diverse, making their former residences equally varied. Beijing, as a 700-year-old imperial capital, naturally attracts famous figures from all walks of life, most of whom reside in the city's numerous hutongs. These hutongs and siheyuan (traditional courtyard houses) thus form a vast cultural "web," filled with an ethereal literary atmosphere that transports visitors away from the noise and chaos of the streets. Shanghai, as a microcosm of modernization and modernization in China, is not merely the "fairy tale nests" of compradors and famous women, but holds deeper and more substantial meanings. Guangzhou, at the forefront of changes since modern times, has continuously sent 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 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 elites due to unique circumstances, making them "temporary" cities. Xiamen, in particular, has a strong Minnan local flavor; Kunming, during the turbulent years of the War of Resistance Against Japan, comforted famous figures while also earning itself a precious cultural heritage. Tianjin, however, is unique—here, the famous figures who reside are mostly "anti-heroes," with power struggles and career battles often taking place in Beijing. Tianjin serves as their "backstage," a place 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 famous figures selected for the series are primarily modern and contemporary figures from the late Qing Dynasty onward, 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 the former residences of famous figures in their respective cities. This is not merely a casual tour but a deep "cultural" reflection. The 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 famous figures, offering a structurally innovative approach. The content includes descriptions of the current state of the former residences, introductions to the lives of the famous figures, their achievements or legends during their time of residence, and their reflections and critiques on 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 "anti-heroes," 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 picture of the past.
Due to the involvement of ten cities, a surprising outcome has emerged: some influential figures have left former residences in multiple cities within the series. Though each is told separately, connecting the entire series allows for a clear view of their life trajectories. For example, Lu Xun was born in Shaoxing, gained fame in Beijing, stayed temporarily in Xiamen, had a "" (age-gap romance) 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 for a special "biography" of this cultural giant. Figures like Soong Ching-ling,, Kang Youwei, and Li Shu also share similar stories. This should be another highlight of the series.
The third feature is the invaluable historical materials and certain practicality. Most of the former residences covered in the series are not open to the public. The more than 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, it still includes detailed "tips" and distribution maps of former residences in each city, offering assistance to those interested in and fond of famous person's former residences. These ten books of the "China Famous Person's Former Residence Study Series" represent a grand cultural endeavor. They are not an end but a good beginning. These ten cities cannot be said to encompass all of China's famous person's former residences. In cities like Fuzhou, Suzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, and Changsha, equally captivating cultural landscapes still await discovery and recognition.
The neon lamp (Neon Lamp) is the totem of "Big Shanghai." The word "Neon" is pronounced as "Ni Hong" in Shanghai dialect. From the natural rainbow () to neon, from nature to artificiality, from natural light to electricity, the poetic elegance of ancient Chinese skies has thus transformed into imported Western scenes in the night sky of Big Shanghai. So many people are drawn here by the allure of dreams, only to be lured away by other illusions. Yet, this place remains Shanghai—the most unique stretch of coastline in ancient China. If one stays here, they cannot live within the neon. What truly anchors their mundane and ordinary lives, embracing their ideals and dreams, is always behind the neon.