The Former Residence of Xiong Xiling (熊希龄故居), located in the scenic Fenghuang Ancient Town of Hunan Province, is a significant cultural and historical site. This traditional courtyard residence was built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1821-1850) and holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Xiong Xiling on June 25, 1869, according to the lunar calendar.
The architecture of the residence follows the traditional four-part courtyard design, characterized by a main house, two side wings, and a wing room. The courtyard is paved with red stone slabs, creating a central gathering space. Surrounding the main structure are fireproof walls made of blue bricks, enclosed by an additional perimeter wall, also constructed from blue bricks. The entire compound covers an area of 250 square meters, with a building area of 150 square meters. The residence features a “穿斗式” (chuan dou shi) frame, a type of construction typical of traditional Chinese architecture, with a hip roof covered in small green tiles. The walls are made of wooden boards, and the doors and windows are adorned with intricately carved latticework, reflecting the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
At the center of the main hall hangs a portrait of Xiong Xiling, accompanied by a bronze bust that was cast in October 2001 by 14 alumni of the Xiangshan Charity Institute. The bust stands 51 centimeters tall and 35 centimeters wide, symbolizing the lasting impact of Xiong’s contributions to education and philanthropy. The hall also showcases an inscription from Lin Sen, the Chairman of the National Government, commemorating the Second National Charity Conference hosted by Xiong on August 5, 1936. Various photographs of Xiong and his family adorn the walls, along with artifacts such as desks, writing tools, and other typical furniture from that era.
Xiong Xiling (July 23, 1870 – December 25, 1937) was born in Fenghuang County, Hunan Province, but his ancestral roots trace back to Shitan, Fengcheng in Jiangxi Province. He was a renowned educator, social activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, recognized for his patriotic spirit. Xiong was instrumental in promoting industrial development in China, notably through the establishment of the nationally recognized cultural heritage of Liling underglaze colorful porcelain. His prodigious talent earned him the nickname “Hunan Prodigy,” as he excelled academically from a young age. He achieved the status of “Xiucai” at fifteen, “Juren” at twenty-two, and “Jinshi” at twenty-five, eventually being appointed as a member of the Hanlin Academy.
In 1913, Xiong was elected as the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Republic of China. However, he resigned shortly thereafter due to his opposition to Yuan Shikai’s attempts to restore the monarchy. In his later years, Xiong devoted himself to charitable work and education, founding the Xiangshan Charity Institute in 1920, which became a well-respected institution for education and social welfare.
