The Former Residence of Liu Shaoqi is located at the Tanzichong Village of Huaminglou Township in Ningxiang County, a key historical relic protect-ed by the state. The house is situated facing the west and a pond is in front of it. With a backdrop of a mountain, it is an ordinary farm hut of 20 rooms built with earth and timber. On the 24th of November in 1898, Liu Shaoqi, the outstanding revolutionary, statesman, and theorist, was born in the house, where he spent his childhood and youth. In May 1961, he returned to his native home to conduct a tour of inspection of the countryside, and stayed there for one week. During the "Cultural Revolution," the dwelling was destroyed and was restored to the original in 1980. Nearby, there is a memorial hall for Liu. It covers an area of 3000 or more square meters, consisting of the gate, a lobby, an exhibition hall, an audio and video room, a lounge and a waterside pavilion. Rich historical documents and materials and photos are stored in the memorial hall. In the square in front of the hall, a bronze full-length statue of Liu Shaoqi has been erected, 6.1 meters high. The construction of the hall and the statue was completed and opened to the public on November 24,1998.
