Shao Lake Thatched Cottage was originally a private school of Ruan Xuehao, the provincial educational commissioner of Hunan Province during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. It was a place for scholars and officials to hold literary gatherings. The existing house was built in 1981 and covers an area of 741 square meters. It includes a main hall with three rooms. There are several small courtyards distributed in the courtyard, connected to multiple side rooms. The courtyard ground is paved with gravel to form a winding path. Inside, there are buildings such as Chunfeng Pavilion, Banxiang Study, and Hongqiao. The thatched cottage is adjacent to water on three sides. Outside the main entrance of the main house is the beautiful Shao Lake.
Introduction of Ruan Xuehao: A native of Huai’an. His courtesy name is Peiyuan and his literary name is Huantang. He became a Jinshi in the eighth year of Yongzheng. He was conferred the title of Feng Dafu by imperial decree. He was routinely appointed as a reviewer of the Hanlin Academy and the right vice minister of the Ministry of Punishments with an additional two grades. Later, he submitted a petition to resign and returned to his hometown to serve his mother.
Opening hours: Open all day throughout the year.
