Jiangzhuang, a Chinese-style manor villa, is situated on the side of Huagangguanyu. This grand estate spans an area of 405 square meters and is comprised of ‘Zhenshang Tower’, ‘Xiangyan Pavilion’, and the study ‘Juānxì Zhāi’. It once served as the residence of Ma Yifu and has now been transformed into a memorial hall.
The estate’s history dates back to ‘Xiaowanliutang’, and during the Xuantong period of the Qing Dynasty, Jiang Guobang from Nanjing acquired it from Lian Huiqing, a renowned collector of gold stones, calligraphy, and paintings in Wuxi. Jiang Guobang later rebuilt the house, planted an abundance of flowers and trees, and renamed it Langai Villa.
In April 1950, Ma Yifu, a great Confucian master, moved into the villa at the request of his disciples. He was known to take walks on the promenade in Huagang, where he would share wisdom with his disciples, saying, “Being a person is a blessing. Through that, one can know the truth of the world.” Ma Yifu inspired his students to be like a piece of melting gold, seeking upward, grand, and extensive knowledge, with the aim of ‘building up our country’.
Today, Jiangzhuang stands as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit. It is open to visitors all year round and all day, offering a glimpse into the life and teachings of Ma Yifu.
