Former residence of Zhou Enlai, National heritage site in Huai'an District, China
The former residence of Zhou Enlai is a traditional Chinese house in Huai'an, made up of two main buildings with 32 rooms in total. It holds exhibitions with personal belongings, historical documents, and paintings that cover different periods of his life.
Zhou Enlai spent the first 12 years of his life here before leaving to pursue an education and eventually becoming one of the founding figures of the People's Republic of China. The site was later designated a nationally protected heritage site in recognition of his role in modern Chinese history.
The rooms display traditional Chinese furniture, personal objects, and calligraphy made by Zhou Enlai's grandfather. Walking through the house gives a sense of how a Chinese family of that era organized its daily life and private spaces.
The site is divided into two sections: the East Messuage where Zhou was born and the West Messuage where exhibitions are held. Visiting both sections gives a fuller picture of the family and the setting they lived in.
The grounds contain an old well and two elm trees that have stood there for generations and are now protected. The Butterfly Lobby, where Zhou's mother lived, offers a rare look at how the family's private living spaces were arranged.
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