The old residence of Qiu Jin is situated No
18 Hechangtang (a place of comfort) at the foot of Zhenta Hill in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province.
Qiu Jin (1879-1907), also known as Jianghu
Nuxia (a heroine living near Mirror Lake), was a famous
female revolutionary in modern China. Studying in Japan
in 1904, she joined the Restoration Society, Chinese Revolutionary League and
other democratic revolutionary organizations. In 1906, Qiu set up the
China College and published the Chinese Women's
Newspaper, which promoted Chinese women's rights, disseminated information about
the revolution and engaged in anti-Qing activities. In 1907, she succeeded Xu
Xilin to take charge of Datong
School. Here Qiu came into
contact with secret societies and the organization of the Restoration Army in
preparation for the Anhui-Zhejiang anti-Qing armed uprising. In July of the same
year, having failed in the uprising of Anqing, Anhui Province, Xu died a hero. Shortly
afterwards, the Qing army besieged Datong School and Qiu was arrested. She died in the name of the revolution
at the age of 28.
Qiu's old residence was originally part of a
villa belonging to the Secretary of the Grand Council Zhu Geng of the Ming
Dynasty (1368-1644). The residence has five rows of houses: the vestibule, Qiu's
living quarters and three others where her mother and brothers lived. Qiu once
received comrades in her chambers to secretly discuss the uprising. In the back
wall of the living room is a secret chamber where arms and confidential
documents were kept. The residence, which has been renovated many times,
includes an exhibition room commemorating Qiu's historic
accomplishments.