Stepping inside the towering blue brick walls of Zhang Xueliang's former residence in Shenyang, one feels like stepping back into the turbulent days of the Republic of China. Located in Shaoshuaifu Lane, Shenhe District, the Zhang family residence spans over 30,000 square meters and served as both the official and private residence of Zhang Zuolin and his son, Zhang Xueliang.
Passing through the carved iron gate, the three-story quadrangle courtyard with its gray brick and tiled roofs comes into view. The auspicious beasts on the eaves and the brick carvings of the Chinese characters "Hongxi" (Hongxi) exude a uniquely rustic charm of Northeast China. Beside the rockery in the east courtyard stands the Romanesque-style Grand Qinglou, a 37-meter-tall structure that once commanded the highest point in Shenyang. Standing before this blue brick building, one cannot help but recall the historic moment when Zhang Xueliang decided to "change the flag in Northeast China."
Strolling to the Small Qinglou, this fusion of Chinese and Western architecture documents Zhang Zuolin's final days. Beyond the east wall, Miss Zhao Si's Building quietly tells the story of a frosty love affair. Amidst the rockery pavilions, sunlight filtered through stained glass, casting a dazzling array of light and shadow on the terrazzo floor, seemingly illuminating the Young Marshal's eventful life.
Looking back at the Marshal's residence upon leaving, the blue bricks and black tiles formed a wondrous contrast with the bustling city of Shenyang beyond. This place is not only a treasure of architectural art, but also a three-dimensional history textbook, deeply imbuing one with the weight of the fate of one's nation and the choices one makes.