Peep into a little-known past

By Xiao Changyan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-19 09:05

Among Beijing's famous relics related to eunuchs are the Tian Yi Tomb and Eunuch Culture Museum, the Sanbulao Hutong and Li Lianying's residence.

In western Beijing stand two big tomb complexes that were built for Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) eunuchs. The Biyunsi complex includes the magnificent tomb of Wei Zhongxia. Of the badly-damaged West Mountain complex, the Tian Yi tomb is the best preserved.

Tian Yi (1534-1605) was a high-ranking official in charge of court ceremonies, in the Ming Dynasty. Tian Yi's death so distressed Emperor Wanli that he suspended court meetings for three days and later built a memorial hall and pavilions in memory of his good and faithful servant.

In order to pay tribute to him, eunuchs of later generations also had their tombs near his, forming the group that now constitutes the Beijing Eunuch Culture Museum in the Shijingshan district of Beijing. This is China's first and only museum devoted to eunuch culture. Its halls have exhibits that give an insight into the history of the eunuch system, their duties, and their family lives.

Sanbulao Hutong is located In Houhai. This is where China's most-famous court eunuch, Zheng He, lived. Zheng led seven naval expeditions to many places, including Africa, between 1405 and 1433.

As the most powerful eunuch in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Li Lianying was a favorite of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Li bought many homes in Beijing. The big quadrangle now used by the Haidian Health Bureau as its office was for a long period inhabited by Li's brother and his descendants. And today's Bamboo Garden in Houhai, known as the first major courtyard-style hotel in Beijing, was also the private garden of Li and is full of authentic Chinese features.