Qiu Jin Former Residence

Stay at Qiu Jin’s Hometown Stay, a boutique guesthouse housed in a restored 19th-century residence just across from the main entrance. Its rooms blend traditional Hunan architecture with modern comfort, featuring private courtyard balconies overlooking the ancient plum tree and stone inscriptions. The property offers free access to historical audio guides, handwritten calligraphy workshops, and exclusive monthly 'Voice of the Pioneers' lectures on Qiu Jin’s revolutionary ideals. Guests also receive a commemorative letter-press kit upon check-in.

Head to Old Town Flavor Diner, a century-old family-run restaurant just a 5-minute walk from the residence. Specializing in Xiangtan-style steamed fish head with chopped chili and spicy braised duck, all ingredients are sourced directly from local farms. The interior preserves original timber beams and brick walls, offering a view of the residence’s rooftops while dining. Try their limited-edition Qiu Jin Red Sugar Glutinous Rice Dumplings, created in her honor—soft, sweet, and symbolizing resilience.

Jingyuan: A Quiet Garden by Qiu Jin’s Home is the only hotel located directly opposite the residence entrance—just 10 meters away. Each room is themed around Qiu Jin’s early life, featuring outdoor viewing platforms that overlook the historic courtyard and ancient plum tree. The hotel provides complimentary guided trolleys with historical maps, audio devices, and photography stands. Guests receive a handcrafted letter press kit commemorating Qiu Jin’s legacy, perfect for souvenirs.

Guests at Jingyuan can join the daily ‘Voice of the Pioneers’ lecture series, where historians explore Qiu Jin’s poetry and revolutionary philosophy. Monthly traditional women’s embroidery workshops allow visitors to craft hand-stitched silk slippers and handkerchiefs, preserving Hunan’s female artisan heritage. On her birthday (June 26), the hotel hosts a night memorial ceremony with lantern lighting, incense burning, and classical guqin music playing The Elegy for Qiu Jin, creating a solemn yet intimate tribute. All events are free for guests.

Tancheng Memory: Family Home is a thoughtfully designed homestay for families, located 100 meters east of the residence. It features three interconnected suites and a dedicated children’s activity room. Rooms are inspired by Qiu Jin’s childhood, with antique desks, paper umbrella displays, and interactive digital screens showing excerpts from her diary. Daily family treasure hunts guide kids through hidden ‘revolutionary letters’ in the garden, blending fun with education. Additional offerings include parent-child tea ceremony sessions teaching traditional Hunan hospitality rituals.

Visit Garden of Memories, a secluded reading sanctuary tucked behind the residence. Once a private family home of Qiu Jin’s relatives, it now serves as a tranquil space for reflection. Featuring rare modern Hunan literary collections and local gazetteers, the center includes a central stone tea table serving locally grown Shaoshan Mao Feng tea. Private meditation pods and ink-writing services are available for guests seeking quiet contemplation. Best visited during sunset, when golden light bathes the roof tiles, creating a poetic moment reminiscent of history’s lingering grace.