MODERN LITERATURE in Beijing
Update: February 19, 2008
Visiting Residences of Late Chinese Literary Giants
A very plain courtyard compound in a back alley in the Western District of Beijing is a holy place of Chinese literature. It is the former residence of Lu Xun, the greatest fore-runner and founder of modern Chinese literature. In face, almost all of the most accomplished Chinese writers in the history of modern Chinese literature resided in Beijing for a fairly long period of time. They all drew nourishment from the culture of this ancient capital. Many of their former residences have been turned into public museums, which tourists can visit.
The Only Archive of Manuscripts of Famous Chinese Writers
The Modern Literature Museum at the Wanshou Temple on the western outskirts of Beijing is the only archive for the preservation of manuscripts of famous Chinese writers. Here one also finds letters, diaries, audio and video recordings of some writers. It is a library capable of furnishing a vivid history of modern Chinese literature. The museum was built on the proposal of Ba Jin, another great contemporary writer. He insisted on locating the museum in Beijing on the grounds that Beijing was the cradle of modern Chinese literature.
The end.
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