Humble Beginnings: Liu Guojun’s Ancestral Home
Explore Liu Guojun’s ancestral home and the long-lasting contributions he has made to his hometown
Step inside Liu Guojun's childhood home
It is said that the geographical root of Jingjiang is in Gushan and the cultural root is in the tranquil town of Shengci. This peaceful and age-old town is located far from the hustle and bustle of urban life and is home to two popular cultural attractions – the 800-year-old Yue Temple and the adjacent ancestral home of Liu Guojun.
Location of Liu Guojun’s ancestral home in Shengci Town, Jingjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Liu Guojun’s ancestral home was renovated by the Jingjiang People’s Government in 1985 and opened to the public. Today, it is a significant cultural relic protection unit in Jiangsu Province and a national AA-level tourist attraction. The residence has received many awards and is recognized as the “Patriotism Education Base of Jiangsu Province”, “Overseas Chinese Cultural Exchange Base of Jiangsu Province”, “Chinese Culture Overseas Exchange Base”, “Taizhou City United Front Education Base”, and “Dragon Jiangsu Provincial Committee Patriotism Education Base”.
Layout: A series of complex buildings
As we approach the entrance of Liu Guojun’s ancestral abode, the exquisite calligraphy of “Hongyi Garden” stands out, written in the graceful hand of Mr. Liu Guojun. His ancestral home is a complex of buildings consisting of the old residence, Shanyu Hall, Jingxiu Hall, and the newly built Guojun Hall. These buildings covers an area of 4,680 square meters and are connected by cloisters and separated by patios, with multiple wells and floors that are spaciously integrated.
Old Residence: Bamboo bed and early hardships
The old residence is located on the left side of the gate is particularly striking, with its mud bricks and green tiles covered in moss. Inside, visitors will find an old bamboo bed, a spinning wheel, and a loom reminiscent of a dusty book. The story of Mr. Liu Guojun’s arduous and glorious entrepreneurial history is quietly narrated in the textbook “Poverty and Diligence,” reminding us of his proud place in China’s national industry. On the wall of the old residence hangs a banner that provokes deep thoughts about life’s complexities. It bears the words,
"Ask about the hardships I endured when I was young. I spent a mere 800 yuan on tuition fees in my lifetime. I survived three meals a day and slept on a bamboo bed at night. I worked hard for half my life and made countless contributions. If I become rich, I will be happy, but I will never forget my poverty."
Jingxiu Hall: Dedication, self-improvement, and remembering one's roots
As you exit the old residence and make your way through the front corridor, you’ll find yourself in the Jingxiu Hall. This space serves as a beautiful embodiment of the values that Mr. Liu Guojun has held dear throughout his life: dedication and self-improvement. The Jingxiu Hall is a sacred place adorned with photographs of Mr. Liu Guojun and his family.
In the Jingxiu Hall, Mr. Liu Guojun can be seen seated in his study, with a beautiful painting by Xu Beihong hanging behind him. The painting captures a horse bowing its head to drink water, symbolizing Mr. Liu Guojun’s virtue of remembering one’s roots. This value has been passed down to his family, including his daughter, Liu Biru, who has consistently used her resources to support the development of her hometown. Liu Biru’s contributions have included building schools, establishing industries, and promoting tertiary industries.
Shanyu Hall: The importance of unwavering perseverance
Upon departing Jingxiu Hall, a serene tree-lined corridor leads to Shanyu Hall. Once inside the living room, a prominent couplet catches the eye. It reads,
"A man's heart never ages, always running with the Party."
The piece was penned in the handwriting of Shanyu Dyeing and Weaving Factory’s founder, Mr. Liu Guojun, and pays homage to his contributions to his hometown during the Republic of China. The hall’s name, “Shanyu,” commemorates his achievements.
A fascinating tale surrounds the hall’s moniker. Originally called “Shanyu Cloth Factory,” Mr. Liu Guojun added “Heng” after “Shanyu” to honor his mother’s teachings. When he was young, his mother imparted the importance of perseverance, showing him the spinning movements and saying, “Without perseverance, how can this ball of cotton turn into yarns? How can yarn be turned into pieces of cloth?” Mr. Liu Guojun remembered his mother’s words and created a couplet to inspire himself: “If you travel every day, you are not afraid of thousands of miles; if you do it often, you are not afraid of thousands of things.” Today, Shanyu Hall is a space for guests to express their feelings and recite couplets. It boasts elegant and fresh calligraphy and paintings as part of its decor.
Exhibition Room: Archives, artifacts, and entrepreneurship
Exiting Shanyu Hall and stepping into the garden reveals a breathtaking sight – a beautiful array of spring orchids, autumn osmanthus, and vibrant greenery that warmly welcome you. The citron trees, which were planted by the descendants of Mr. Liu Guojun, remain lush and verdant all year round, with their branches reaching up to the sky.
To reach the exhibition room of the former residence’s southwest side, you’ll need to pass through the wing rooms flanking Shanyu Hall. Inside, the exhibition showcases the life of Mr. Liu Guojun through a collection of archival photographs and physical artifacts from various periods. Detailed historical materials line the surrounding windows, chronicling his entrepreneurial journey. Adorned with the portrait of Lu Dingyi and inscriptions penned by successive leading comrades such as Xi Jinping, Hu Huang, and Liu Jingji, the exhibition is a testament to Mr. Liu’s lasting legacy.
Guojun Hall: Spirit of loyalty and devotion
Just east of the exhibition room lies the “Guojun Hall,” constructed in the new century. At its center stands a massive white marble statue of Mr. Liu Guojun, weighing 18 tons and measuring 3.5 meters in height. The statue depicts Mr. Liu Guojun with kind, gentle, and friendly eyes, gazing towards his beloved homeland, which he missed dearly throughout his life when he moved to Hong Kong. Above the statue, an inscription by Lu Dingyi reads, “Careful, diligent and sincere,” a fitting description of Mr. Liu Guojun.
Guojun Hall is situated adjacent to the Yue Temple, which is a temple constructed to commemorate the Southern Song general Yue Fei. This temple holds a special significance as it is the oldest Yue Temple in the country with preserved relics till date. Liu Guojun drew great inspiration from the spirit of loyalty towards the nation that Yue Fei embodied, which helped him achieve immense success and glory. In honor of Yue Fei, Liu Guojun and his descendants have rebuilt the Yue Temple four times.
Hometown Contributions
Mr. Liu Guojun began his career at age 15 in this small town of Shengci and had returned years later. His unwavering attachment to his hometown for over 50 years is truly remarkable. The people of Jingjiang are deeply inspired by Mr. Liu Guojun’s homesickness and patriotism, and his story has become widely known. His children are also actively involved in the development of their hometown, donating money to build the Liu Guojun Library of Jingjiang City Technical School, Liu Guojun Middle School (刘国钧中学), as well as establishing Mr. Liu Guojun’s scholarship fund. Their contributions have left a lasting impact on the community.
Liu Guojun Middle School
Founded in 1948, the Liu Guojun Middle School is located on Yucai Road in Shengci Town, a 6-minute walk from Liu Guojun’s ancestral home. It covers an area of 63,511 square meters, and currently has 61 classes and more than 4,800 students and 300 faculty members. In May 2001, the school was recognized as a provincial key high school by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education and has become a four-star high school in Jiangsu Province. A year later, it was renamed “Jingjiang Liu Guojun Middle School” with the consent of the municipal government and the Provincial Department of Education.
Location of Liu Guojun Middle School in Shengci Town, Jingjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Liu Guojun and Liu Biru have made significant philanthropic contributions to support renovation projects in their hometown, which have played a key role in ensuring access to quality education for the youth. The first phase of the renovation and expansion of Liu Guojun Middle School has been completed, adding modern facilities such as a canteen, teaching building, comprehensive building, and sports training center. The school’s central building, a five-story comprehensive building covering 6,677 square meters, now occupies the former site of the library building and serves as the school’s core structure.
