Baoshan Residence in Fengguang Village, Pingyuan, Guangdong

Baoshan Residence was the former home of Yao Yuping, facing southeast with the main body consisting of a three-hall, four-wing, and one-surrounding-dragon architectural structure. It features a front porch and a pond, with a well to the right. The main body spans 52 meters wide and 32 meters deep, covering a total area of 3,634 square meters, with 65 rooms and 7 halls of various sizes. There is a large pond in front of the house and a well on the right side. The Baoshan Residence is a typical Hakka surrounding-dragon house, with a stele and a brief introduction embedded on the outer wall to the right of the main gate. Baoshan Residence has one large and two small gates. The main gate has a wide porch with two square stone pillars supporting the beam and bracket. The porch beam frame is robust, with beautifully carved beams. Between the left and right beams stand a pair of wooden carved lions, exquisitely carved, gilded, and painted, lifelike. The main gate hangs the house name plaque 'Baoshan Residence', with a black lacquer base and large red characters. The three characters of 'Baoshan Residence' were inscribed by Hu Hanmin, a senior figure of the Republic of China. Yao Yuping once received an inscription from Mr. Sun Yat-sen, 'The great way is practiced, the world is for the public', with the salutation 'Comrade Yuping' and the signature 'Sun Wen' with a seal. This plaque and inscription seem to proclaim to the world the once prominent status of the house's owner. Inside the house, the main beams, doors, windows, and screens are carved and painted, and the walls at the entrance and the main hall are also painted with ink patterns, elegant in appearance. Around the main hall and the courtyard, there are 3-meter stone pillars, with eaves built of stone, sturdy and beautiful. The layout and furnishings of the hall are typical of Hakka residences, without much difference. The couplet in the hall reads 'Harmonious rain and wind celebrate together with heaven and man; equality and universal love are observed by all things and me', embedding the owner's name 'Yuping' and advocating equality, as well as expressing the wish for world peace, reflecting the spirit of Baoshan Residence. It is a key cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province. Yao Yuping (1882—September 19, 1974), originally named Shiyun, styled Yulong, and with the Dharma name Miaoyun, was born in Pingyuan County, Meizhou City, Guangdong Province. He graduated from Lingdong National College and Guangdong Huangpu Army Accelerated School. He was a senior figure of the Republic of China, a general in the army, and the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expeditionary Army during the 1911 Revolution. He participated in planning the 1911 Huanghuagang Uprising in Guangzhou, later served as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expeditionary Army, led the Northern Expedition to victory, and made significant contributions to the successful conclusion of the Xinhai Revolution, ending the feudal monarchy and establishing the Republic of China. He passed away in Guangzhou on September 19, 1974.