Ha’er Lane 98, situated in Ha’er Lane, Xiacheng District, is an ancient residence that embodies the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Originally constructed during the Qing Dynasty, this residence boasts a classic Jiangnan layout, featuring a three-room, five-deep wooden and earthen structure, along with double-layered corridor-style architecture.
Upon entering No. 98 through its wooden door, one is greeted by a central courtyard, with side rooms flanking both sides. Beyond the courtyard, the living room awaits, which, along with the back hall, are two-story structures. To reach the upper floor, one must ascend a narrow and steep wooden staircase, decorated with ice crack patterned railings. The upper level of the corridor is characterized by a “concave” shaped railing.
Exiting the back hall reveals a small courtyard, entirely paved with stone slabs. Flanking this courtyard are two-story side rooms, with an old well positioned at the center. The backyard’s structure mirrors that of the front yard, with an ancient well on the edge known as the “Song Well,” which perpetually holds water.
The main building’s corridor serves as a connection between every room on both the upper and lower floors, allowing for uninterrupted passage even in the rain, without the need for an umbrella or boots. The ancient residence is equipped with three firewalls and stone gates on the upper floor, designed for theft and fire prevention.
The interior of the residence is crafted with “heartwood of fir” for its durability, lightning protection, and resistance to insects and deformation. Doors and windows, which lacked glass at the time, were ingeniously made with translucent river clam shells. These shells served as materials for sun protection, wind blocking, and light transmission, highlighting the unique craftsmanship and rarity of the era.The ancient residence is currently inhabited by Mr. Qian Xiyao. This ancient residence was the homestead of the Southern Song Dynasty patriotic poet Lu You. Lu You’s ‘Weinan Collection’ indeed records his residence in Ha’er Lane, and the famous verse ‘A night on the small tower listening to the spring rain, in the deep alleys they sell apricot blossoms in the morning’ was written here.
The ancient residence contains woodcarvings that embody the ethnic styles of the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Its doors, panels, and corridors are adorned with bat, Bagua, and longevity wood carving patterns. There are also open carvings, semi-open carvings, and hand carvings, all exquisitely crafted and uniquely shaped.
The living room features a row of eight floor-to-ceiling doors and windows, with carvings depicting the landscapes of Shaoxing’s Jiangnan, the land of fish and rice, including small bridges over flowing water, wooden boats, cormorant fishing, and scholars playing chess, all exquisitely beautiful.
The second-floor window eaves, constructed with bluestone slabs, are even more uncommon.
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