The Former Residence of Mao Dun

The Former Residence of Mao Dun is located in the Houyuan'ensi Lane, South Avenue, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng District. It was where Mao Dun lived between 1974 and 1981, the year he died. It was designated by the central government as his former residence in which to hold an exhibition entitled a Great Revolutionary Writer—Mao Dun. It was officially opened to the public in March 1985.

Mao Dun's original name was Shen Dehong, and his courtesy name was Yanbing. He was born in Wuzhen, Tongxiang in Zhejiang in 1896. He was one of the forerunners of progressive culture in modern China, a great revolutionary writer, and an outstanding champion of proletariat culture. After the founding of the People's Republic, he served first as head of the Culture Ministry and then as deputy chairman of the National Political Consultative Committee. He was also long-time deputy chairman of the National Association of Literature and Art and chairman of the Chinese Writers' Association.

The south-facing former residence has a front courtyard and a back one, and 22 rooms of various sizes. Since it was opened to the public, the furnishings of the study, bedrooms, and living room have been kept exactly the same as they were before its last owner died. In the west wing room in the front courtyard, which served as the living room, the sofas, the vase on the table, and the couplet hung on the wall are all genuine relics. In the north room are displayed the writer's life and his writing career. In the east wing room are displayed pictures and relics that reflect his unremitting efforts to help with developing culture in New China and maintaining peace in the world. Exhibits include certificates of appointment, representative credentials, manuscripts of creative works and records, and the pens, recorder, and seals he had used. In the back courtyard are his study and bedroom. The walls of these rooms are lined with bookshelves filled with Chinese and foreign classics. His book collection and his own writings have been collected in the Mao Dun Library.

Address:No.13, Houyuan'ensi Hutong, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Publishes at : 07-09-23 22:07

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