The Top Literary Landmarks To Visit In Beijing
As the capital city of China for over a thousand years, Beijing has a literary past rivaled only perhaps by Shanghai. This city was the home of some of China’s most illustrious literary figures, from Cao Xueqin to Lu Xun, and today, it features several literary landmarks that many a bookworm will appreciate.
1. Lu Xun Museum
Museum
Lu Xun was a key figure in the 1919 May Fourth Movement, a student-led cultural and political movement that rejected traditional Confucian values and called for the embrace of scientific thought and Western liberal democracy. He is best known for short stories such as Diary of a Madman and The True Story of Ah Q, works that expressed his desire for reform as well as his criticisms of Chinese society.
2. Lai Jin Yu Xuan Tea House
Cafe, Tea Room, Tea
The beautiful crimson building boasts traditional architecture overlooking a classical Chinese garden with a pond and willow tree. The menu famously consists of dishes mentioned in the Chinese classic The Dream of the Red Chamber, which describes many grand banquets and feasts held by the various characters. Written by Cao Xueqin during the Qing dynasty, the novel reflects the habits and dining customs of Chinese society at the time of its writing.
3. Cao Xueqin Memorial
Botanical Garden, Memorial
The memorial, which was opened in 1983, consists of a rectangular courtyard with 18 rooms and is surrounded by natural scenery. It contains exhibitions about Cao’s life and work, with a special focus on The Dream of the Red Chamber. Visitors can also browse a number of Cao’s personal effects, such as his chests, trunks, porcelains, bookcases, and wall scrolls. Entry is free of charge.
5. Lao She Museum
Museum
This home is where Lao She and his wife raised their four children and where he wrote several of his last works. The courtyard is graced by two persimmon trees that Lao She himself planted in 1954, and they both still bear fruit every fall. In addition to newspaper cuttings, photographs, and other personal effects, the museum contains Lao She’s writing desk, with a calendar opened to the day of his death.
6. The National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature
Library, Museum
The traditional Chinese architecture is complemented by a tranquil courtyard. Four exhibition halls inside the museum chronicle the development of Chinese literature from the late Qing dynasty onward. The venue also frequently hosts academic lectures.
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