Former Residence of Cheng Yanqiu (程砚秋故居)

Cheng Yanqiu (1904—1958), a famous Peking opera artist, was hailed as one of the "Four Great Dan (female roles)", along with Mei Lanfang, Shang Xiaoyun and Xun Huisheng.
Cheng Yanqiu had residences in Beijing. Among them, the one at No. 39, West Sibeisantiao (formerly known as No. 18 Beibaozi Hutong, West Sipailou Building) is the longest, where he lived from 1937 until his death in 1958. In 1984, it was approved as the third batch of Beijing Cultural Relics Protection Units.

The residence covers 390 square meters with two courtyards. In front of the gate stands a screen wall, and the front and back yards are separated by Chuihuamen (Flower-hung Gate) and the Moon Gate, a circular opening in a garden wall that acts as a pedestrian passageway.

The back rooms, wing rooms and other rooms of the house are connected by corridors. Chen used to receiving visitors at Yushuangyi, literally meaning The Study Room of Yushuang (Chen’s courtesy name). On the east are Chen and his wife’s bedrooms. A large patio lies in the center with parterres on both sides. In addition, there is a small courtyard on the east has several rooms including a dining room.

The residence is now inhabited by Chen’s descendants. Here Cheng’s costumes, scripts, exercise mirrors, books and materials, painting tools and other stationary, as well as souvenirs from his friends have been well- preserved.