The Hu Xueyan Memorial Museum (胡雪岩纪念馆) is located in Jixi County, Anhui Province, China, and serves as a tribute to the life and legacy of Hu Xueyan (1823-1885), a prominent figure in the business and political arenas of 19th-century China. Covering an area of approximately 800 square meters, the museum consists of two courtyards and is situated on the original site of the Wenchang Hall, a building dating back to the Ming Dynasty.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 20 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0563-8155544 |
Location and Transportation
The Hu Xueyan Memorial Museum is located at 100 Shizhi Street, near the entrance of Jixi Middle School in Jixi County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province, China. To get there, you can take bus Jixi 1, Jixi 3, or Jixi 7, get off at Chenghuang Street Stop (城隍街站), and walk about 200 meters to the west.
Historical Background
Hu Xueyan, originally named Hu Guangyong, grew up in a poor family in Huli Village. His early life was marked by hardship, and he worked as a cattle herder to support his family. However, he caught the attention of a local merchant and became an apprentice in a money shop in Hangzhou. His hard work and diligence earned him the trust of his employer, who promoted him to manage errands and eventually take over the business.
In the tenth year of the Xianfeng reign (1860), during a tumultuous time marked by the Taiping Rebellion, Hu Xueyan played a crucial role in supporting the Qing government. He acquired weapons and supplies from Shanghai and Ningbo to aid the Qing troops in Hangzhou, which helped him gain the favor of influential officials, particularly Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Zhejiang. As a result, he became a major player in Hangzhou’s commercial landscape, establishing the Fukan Money Shop, which became one of the most significant financial institutions in the region.
Business Ventures and Achievements
Hu Xueyan’s influence continued to grow, especially after he assisted Zuo Zongtang in managing provincial finances and military supplies. His financial acumen and connections allowed him to expand the Fukan Money Shop to over 20 branches across southern and northern China, managing assets of more than 20 million taels of silver and vast agricultural lands. He was not only a businessman but also a significant political figure, earning a title of honorary assistant magistrate in Jiangxi for his contributions.
In addition to his financial endeavors, Hu Xueyan established Hu Qingyu Hall, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy in Hangzhou, in the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign (1874). This pharmacy aimed to provide high-quality Chinese medicine, and he employed prominent physicians from Zhejiang to formulate over 400 medicinal recipes, which gained immense popularity during times of epidemics and conflicts. He was deeply committed to quality, famously posting a plaque that read “No Deception,” reminding his staff of the importance of integrity in the pharmaceutical business.
Hu Qingyu Hall became a leading establishment in the preparation of Chinese medicine, earning both domestic and international acclaim. It played a pivotal role in the development of Chinese pharmaceutical practices during a time when traditional medicine was often overshadowed by foreign influences.
Challenges and Decline
Despite his success, Hu Xueyan faced significant challenges, especially in the late 1870s and early 1880s. In 1882, he invested heavily in a silk factory in Shanghai, spending over 20 million taels of silver to monopolize the domestic silk trade. However, his ambitions angered foreign merchants, leading to a boycott of Chinese silk products. The situation worsened when the customs operations, dominated by foreign powers, restricted his ability to export goods directly, resulting in substantial financial losses.
By the summer of 1883, Hu Xueyan was forced to sell his silk at a loss, leading to the depletion of his wealth. As news of his financial troubles spread, depositors from various regions began to withdraw their funds, and Hu Qingyu Hall faced increasing pressure from officials and creditors. The subsequent months saw a cascade of business failures, and Hu Qingyu Hall was ultimately sold, marking the end of Hu Xueyan’s illustrious career.
In November 1885, he passed away under tragic circumstances, having been left destitute after a lifetime of achievements and contributions. His legacy, however, lived on, and the Hu Xueyan Memorial Museum was established to honor his memory.
The Memorial Museum
The Hu Xueyan Memorial Museum features a vast collection of photographs, books, and artifacts that chronicle Hu Xueyan’s rise and fall in the commercial and political realms. The museum houses nearly a thousand items that Hu Xueyan used during his lifetime, providing a fascinating insight into his daily life and business operations.
One of the standout features of the museum is a replica of the traditional pharmacy, modeled after Hu Qingyu Hall, which showcases over a thousand types of Chinese medicinal products. The museum employs traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who provide services and consultations for visitors, allowing them to experience the rich heritage of Chinese medicine firsthand.
The memorial is not just a tribute to Hu Xueyan but also serves as a cultural and educational center, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about the history of commerce in China, traditional medicine practices, and the complexities of navigating business and politics during a tumultuous period.
