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Historic homes surround Hangzhou’s West Lake
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Over the years, many famous personalities have lived along Hangzhou’s picturesque West Lake. Though their owners may now be long gone the beautiful houses in which they once lived remain, offering a record of the area’s history and cultural prestige.
Shanghai Daily recently took a walk around West Lake and spotted four villas where visitors can both learn more about the area’s rich past as well as the architectural traditions of bygone eras.
Du Jinsheng’s former residence
Du Jinsheng was born in a small village near the West Lake in 1898. While studying textiles in university, Du opened a small silk weaving workshop, a move which kick-started the famed Du Jinsheng Silk Mill in 1922.
The mill’s delicate spinning techniques and chic patterns quickly gained fame around the city. The factory survived modernization and still produces high-quality brocades.
Du’s former residence is located in idyllic Maojiabu, a village famed for its Longjing tea and traditional architecture. It is also the starting point of an ancient trail used for pilgrimages to Lingyin Temple.
Today, Du’s old house has been converted into a small museum which consists of his living quarters, a workshop and a showcase of his mill’s products. Other items on display include period silk looms and wax figures of Du and his family.
Address: Longjing Rd, Maojiabu Village
Chiang Ching-kuo’s former residence
Chiang Ching-kuo (1910ÊÐ1988) was the son of Chiang Kai-shek, the political and military leader of the Kuomingtang. The younger Chiang eventually succeeded his father to serve as the chairman of Kuomingtang in Taiwan from 1975 to 1988.
The younger Chiang’s former residence is situated at the intersection of the Broken Bridge and Beishan Road, one of the most bustling portions of the West Lake Scenic Area. In 1948, Chiang and his wife and sons dwelled in the villa for several months, making it one of their last abodes on the Chinese mainland before their fateful flight to Taiwan in 1949.
Over recent decades, the residence has been rarely visited by members of the public. Earlier this year though, it was thrust into the spotlight thanks to reports that it would be turned into a McDonald’s. This sparked a debate over the appropriateness of such plans.
The West Lake Scenic Area Management Committee later clarified by stating that the residence would be renovated into a cafe but such plans would not alter its appearance or structure.
A Taiwanese design company established by Chiang’s grandson, Demos Chiang, is in charge of the renovation work.
Address: 6 Shihan Rd
Liu Villa
Liu Villa is known as the West Lake’s best villa for its picturesque lake view, zigzaging porch, tranquil environment, lush vegetation and elegant Jiangnan (lower reaches of the Yangtze River) style buildings.
The sprawling residence was built by late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) scholar Liu Xuexun. When Liu visited Hangzhou on a northbound trip, he was said to have been so impressed by West Lake that he immediately decided to build a house overlooking it.
Liu dismantled his home in Guangzhou, in south China’s Guangdong Province, and transported his belongings — including furniture, antiques and carved wooden doors and windows — to be installed in the new villa.
Liu named the villa Shui Zhu Ju, meaning “house surrounded by water and bamboo.” As this name suggests, the structure looks out onto the West Lake and an encompassing ring of lust bamboo, a plant which long symbolized the noble character of the country’s literati.
Today, the villa compound includes the noted West Lake State Guest House, where US President Richard Nixon stayed during his historic trip to China in 1972.
Address: Dingjiashanpan, alongside Yanggong Causeway
Ji’an Villa
From the 1920s to the 1940s, nearly everyone in China knew Du Yuesheng. The influential mob boss spent much of his time in Shanghai and was a key supporter of the Kuomingtang regime.
After building his underworld organization into one of the most powerful groups of its kind in Shanghai, Du eventually branched out into Hangzhou.
Du bought a two-story luxury villa on Solitary Hill overlooking the West Lake. Before long, the sumptuously appointed home became a focal point for gang activity in Hangzhou.
Although Du called it “Ji’an” Ñ or “silent house” Ñ the villa frequently hosted raucous parties attended by high-society elites and prominent gangsters.
Du’s fortunes faded with the conclusion of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. In 1945, Du fled to Hong Kong, where he ultimately died. The luxurious Hangzhou villa he left behind was eventually confiscated by the government.
Later, the villa was turned into a memorial hall for Qiu Jin, a revolutionary as well as a feminist and writer. Qiu was executed after a failed uprising against the Qing Dynasty.
Today, the villa houses the China Seal Academy Museum.
Address: 10 Gushan Rd
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