Former Residence of Ji Xiaolan

The former residence of Ji Xiaolan is found on the north side of Zhushikou Avenue W., where the Jinyang Restaurant is located. The residence’s “Yue Wei Cottage” is a traditional Chinese siheyuan, or quadrange, in two sections.It was enrolled as a Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the Municipal Level.

The residence was originally the residence of Yue Zhongqi, (a descendant of Yue Fei), who served as Minister of Defense and Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng.Ji Xiaolan lived at this address for two periods of his life: from the age of 11 to 39, and again from the age of 48 to 82, totaling about 62 years. After Ji Xiaolan’s death in 1805, his descendants rented half of the mansion complex out to Huang Antao since there were messuages in Zhuchao Street. Before a Shanxi cuisine restaurant, namely Jinyang Restaurant, opening for business here in October 1, 1959, the residence has changed hands for many times.


One chamber in the residence is shaped like a boat, and once a horizontal plate, inscribed with “Boat by the Bank” was hung above its door. Another chamber resembles a connecting corridor, and a horizontal plate inscribed with “Yuewei Cottage” was once hung inside it.

The pea vine (wisteria) growing in the front courtyard and the cherry-apple tree in the rear courtyard, from Ji Xiaolan’s lifetime, still remain. A lush ancient locust tree shades the front gate. Flowers bloom colorfully and fragrantly here every April and May.