Li Zongren Official Residence (Guilin)

Li Zongren Official Residence (Guilin)

Located at No. 4 Wenming Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guangxi, on the south bank of Shanhu Lake, the Li Zongren Official Residence served as the residence and office of Li Zongren. A leader of the Guangxi Warlord Clique in the Republic of China era, he once held the posts of Vice President and Acting President of the Nationalist Government. Locally, it is also known as the "Guilin Presidential Palace".

1. Basic Information

• Address: No. 4 Wenming Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin, on the south bank of Shanhu Lake, next to the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas.
• Construction Period: Started in 1942 and completed in March 1948. It was built by the Guangxi Provincial Government after Li Zongren was elected Vice President.
• Scale & Architecture: The compound covers about 4,321 square meters, with a total floor area of around 2,000 square meters. The main building spans 818 square meters. It is a brick-and-wood villa featuring a Chinese-Western combined architectural style, facing east with yellow walls and red tiles under grey tiled roofing.
• Layout: Centered on the main building, the complex consists of an adjutant’s quarters, guard rooms, auxiliary buildings, gardens and a parking lot. The whole courtyard is enclosed by blue brick walls with a neat layout.

2. Layout of the Two-Story Main Building

• Ground Floor: Guard rooms, reception halls, secretary’s office and a small dining room.
• Second Floor: Meeting rooms, study, bedrooms and reception lounges.

3. Historical Evolution

• 1948–1949: During his tenure as Vice President and Acting President, Li Zongren lived and worked here, holding military and political meetings and meeting student representatives.
• November 1949: Li Zongren left Guilin for Hong Kong, and later went to the United States.
• March 1966: After returning to mainland China, Li Zongren paid a revisit to the residence.
• 1991: The residence was renovated into the Li Zongren Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall and opened to the public.
• 1996: It was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

4. Highlights & Cultural Value

• Architectural Value: It is one of the best-preserved former residences of celebrities from the Republic of China in Guilin and a typical masterpiece of Chinese-Western combined architecture of that era.
• Historical Value: It bears witness to Li Zongren’s political choices in his later years and the rise and fall of the Guangxi Warlord Clique. The exhibition hall houses 118 cultural relics (including 5 first-class relics), such as official appointments, letters and daily necessities.
• Visitor Information: Free admission. Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00.