Kaifeng | A Heroine, the Former Residence of Liu Qingxia.

This trip took me to the former residence of Liu Qingxia. I happened to coincide with a school-organized tour and explanation, which was quite rewarding. It is now a national key cultural relic protection unit. Liu Qingxia, originally named Ma Qingxia, was born into an official family. Her father was the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. She later married into the wealthiest family in Weishi County, the Liu family. In her early years, she studied in Japan and joined the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance). She was known as the "Southern Qiu Jin, Northern Qingxia," alongside Qiu Jin. Sun Yat-sen once presented her with a plaque inscribed with "Heroine." The architecture is a typical late Qing Dynasty courtyard residence in the Central Plains region and is relatively well-preserved. Four exhibition halls are simply arranged, introducing the life and deeds of Liu Qingxia. Liu Qingxia devoted her life to women's liberation and social reform. She donated funds to support the Tongmenghui, founded Hua Ying Girls' School, the first girls' school in Henan, and funded revolutionary publications such as Henan magazine, which is admirable. The former residence is open to the public free of charge and is closed on Mondays. Specific opening hours: Morning: 9:00–12:00 (last entry 11:30) Afternoon: 14:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) It is located on the east side of the old city, not far from the East Grand Mosque. It is worth a visit; both the architecture and the story are quite good.