Located at 11 Shuyuan Street within the ancient city of Pingyao, Shanxi Province, the Former Residence of Lei Lutai (雷履泰故居) is a significant historical site covering approximately 5,000 square meters. Constructed between the late Jiaqing period and the early Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, this residence exemplifies traditional Qing architecture. The complex is oriented north-south and comprises four courtyards—two main courtyards to the east and west, and two auxiliary courtyards, each with its own distinct features yet interconnected.
Architectural Layout
The Western Main Courtyard serves as the primary section of the residence, designed in a typical Pingyao “three-entry and two-courtyard” style. Along the central axis of the Western Main Courtyard are the South Hall, Passage Hall, Inner Gate, and Main Hall, flanked by side rooms on the east and west, with a narrow passageway outside the rear walls of these rooms.
The Eastern Main Courtyard is divided into three sections by two inner gates. The rear courtyard features a row of five cave dwellings with a front porch, while the front courtyard includes a five-room inverted South Hall and an entrance in the easternmost room. Additionally, the courtyard contains six auxiliary rooms.
The Eastern Auxiliary Courtyard comprises two interconnected sections, primarily serving as the kitchen and living quarters for the servants. The Western Auxiliary Courtyard is relatively smaller and irregularly shaped, containing six buildings that once housed an ancestral shrine and a study room.
In front of the Eastern Main Courtyard and Eastern Auxiliary Courtyard lies an open space, with the main entrance and gatehouse facing the street, featuring nine rooms with open fronts.
Artistic Significance
Lei Lutai’s bedroom and study contain two sets of wall paintings executed in the traditional Chinese technique of multicolored gold drawing. These murals depict scenes from Shanxi local opera, Jinju, with excerpts from plays such as “Full Bed of Official Tablets,” “Loyalty and Patriotism,” “Loyalty, Filial Piety, and Righteousness,” “The Champion’s Success,” and “Cutting Down Zi Du.” These artworks not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the residence but also offer insight into the cultural life of the period.
Historical Importance
Lei Lutai (1770-1849) was a prominent figure from Xiyao Village (now Longyue Village) in Pingyao, coming from a family with a strong tradition in commerce. In 1823, during the Daoguang reign, Lei Lutai convinced Li Daquan, the owner of the famous Xiyucheng pigment shop in Pingyao, to separate commercial and financial capital. This led to the establishment of Rishengchang, the first private financial institution in China that specialized in long-distance remittance and also engaged in deposit and loan services.
The residence served as Lei Lutai’s home for over 20 years during the latter part of his life. It stands today as a well-preserved example of a large-scale residence of a feudal capitalist, providing valuable material evidence for the study of Jin Merchant culture.
