The story of Li Xiangjun and the talented Hou Fangyu is well-known in the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties. Naturally, when visiting this land of golden powder from the Six Dynasties, how can you not delve into the legends of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai? Li Xiangjun’s former residence, also known as ‘Meixiang Tower’, is a typical Qing Dynasty riverside hall and house architecture, featuring three sections and two courtyards, with an exquisite and elegant style. It displays ancient calligraphy, painting, and seal carvings, and also restores Li Xiangjun’s living conditions at that time. Let’s unfold a ‘Peach Blossom Fan’ and savor the entanglements of a turbulent era.
Li Xiangjun’s Former Residence Exhibition Hall is located at the south end of Laiyan Bridge, Confucius Temple, at 38 Chaoku Street. The hall faces south and has three sections and two courtyards, facing a food street and backed by the Qinhuai River. It features green bricks, small tiles, horse-head walls, verandas, hanging decorations, and lattice windows, all typical of Jiangnan residential style. Inside the hall, there are a sedan chair hall, a resource room, Meixiang Tower former residence exhibition, tea culture, fan culture exhibition hall, calligraphy and painting display room, riverside hall, and ancient water gate.
The Meixiang Tower within the hall is a provincial cultural relic protection unit, with a history of over three hundred years. It was the former residence of the famous Li Xiangjun from the late Ming to the early Qing Dynasty. Li Xiangjun, in her resistance against the Qing and restoration of the Ming, maintained her national spirit at the cost of her life, creating a tragic and heroic drama with blood on a plain fan, which is admired by later generations. The former residence now includes a boudoir, study, living room, and music room. The riverside hall of Meixiang Tower is also a very representative building, with carved beams and eaves, delicate techniques, and vivid images. Each piece of work conveys auspicious meanings and has a strong sense of Ming Dynasty folk culture, and it is well-preserved.
Opening hours are from 09:00 to 21:00 all year round. Preferential policies include free admission for children under 1.4 meters in height or under 6 years old, half-price for students aged between 6 and 18 years old with valid identification, full-time primary, middle, and high school students with student cards, free admission for people over 70 years old with ID or senior citizen card; half-price for people aged 60 to 69 with ID or senior citizen card, free admission for soldiers and officers with military ID, free admission for people with disability certificates issued by the civil affairs department (including one or two accompanying personnel for severely disabled individuals), and free admission for medical workers nationwide (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) within one year from the resumption of operation of scenic spots and museums, with valid identification (physician’s certificate, nurse’s certificate, or other qualifications related to medical work).
Additional information: The above information is for reference only, and the specific details are subject to the disclosure on the day of the visit at the scenic spot.
Li Xiangjun’s Former Residence
The story of Li Xiangjun and the talented Hou Fangyu is well-known in the ancient capital of the Six[...]
