Zhou Enlai’s Ancestral Residence (周恩来祖居) is a north-facing brick and tile house with the traditional features of a black bamboo silk platform gate, reflecting Ming Dynasty architectural style. The exterior of the residence is simple and solemn, consisting of three sections, each with three rooms. Every two sections are seperated by a courtyard with small corridors. The middle of the first section features a platform door, flanked by ear rooms on both sides. The second section serves as the main hall. The third section, originally a three-story building, collapsed and was rebuilt as a flat house.
Originally named Xiyang Hall (锡养堂), the residence is located on Laodong Road in downtown Shaoxing. In the 37th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1698 AD), Zhou Maozhang’s wife, Wang, reached the age of 100, and the Zhejiang provincial governor specially gave a plaque reading “百岁寿母之门 (Hundred-Year-Old Mother)” as a congratulatory gift, hence the name “Hundred-Year-Old Hall.” When Zhou Enlai’s grandfather was appointed in Jiangsu, they moved to Huai’an.
Zhou Enlai, then Vice Minister of the Political Department of the Military Commission of the National Government, returned to his ancestral home from March 29 to 31, 1939. During this visit, he received relatives, friends, and people from all walks of life, delivered anti-Japanese speeches, held workers’ symposiums, and wrote inscriptions for patriotic individuals and friends, inspiring the local people’s enthusiasm for anti-Japanese resistance and country-saving efforts. In the 1980s, the Shaoxing People’s Government renovated the Hundred-Year-Old Hall, and the plaque “Hundred-Year-Old Mother” above the ceremonial gate was inscribed by Gu Tinglong. The plaque “Zhou Enlai’s Ancestral Residence” above the lintel was inscribed by Chen Yun. In 1984, the residence was restored to its original appearance, and during the renovation, a “Zhou Enlai Historical Exhibition Hall” was established, mainly showcasing Zhou Enlai’s activities in Shaoxing during the War of Resistance against Japan. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Zhou Enlai’s birth in March 1998, the Hundred-Year-Old Hall was once again comprehensively expanded, and a square was created opposite the ancestral home, where a bronze statue of Zhou Enlai was erected for future generations to admire and for commemorative events.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 0.5 – 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 18 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0575-85145000 0086-0575-85129863 |
Location and Transportation
Zhou Enlai’s ancestral residence is located along the Baoyou Bridge River in the downtown area of Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. The specific address is No. 369 Laodong Road, Yuecheng District. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 3A, 3B, 3, 6A, 6B, 6, 9, 15, 18, 19, 22, 30, 37, 51, 57, 108A, 108, or 166, get off at China Mobile Company Stop (移动公司站), and walk about 200 meters to the south to reach the residence
Metro: The closest metro station to Bazi Bridge is City Square (城市广场) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit G, walk about 400 meters to the east to reach the attraction.
