The Former Residence& the Memorial Park of Li Honzhang
Ladies and gentlemen：
Welcome to the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang and his Memorial Park. I’m Wang Ping from Anhui Travel Service. I will be your guide during your stay in here. If you have any question, please feel free to tell me. I will try my best to smooth your way. I highly appreciate your understanding and cooperation. It’s my sincere hope that you will have a wonderful visit in here.
Today, we are going to visit the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang and his Memorial Park. You may wonder who Mr. Li Hongzhang is and why tourists come to visit his home. Now I’d like to give you a brief introduction of him. When we get there, I will tell you more in detail.
Li Hongzhang was born in Hefei in 1823, Anhui Province. He is one of the most controversial person in Chinese modern history. He was also a military and politician minister who impacted Chinese modern history about half century. In 1853, he formed army of himself, then participated Zeng Guofan’s troop. In the year of 1861, he organized Huai Army and formed Huai department group gradually. From 60’s 19 th century, Li Hongzhang established Beiyang navy. And Li sponsored foreign affairs and brought in advanced technoiogy from the western countries which shows up the prologue of modernization in China.
Now, let’s begin our sightseeing, I wish all of you having a perfect experience today.
In front of us is the gate of the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang, which is very high and thick. At the head of the gate is a pair of stone lions. While you enter the gate, you can see a hallway. At the beginning, the hallway was used for resting area for guests. Now it has turned into a showroom. Above the middle of the hallway, there is a horizontal inscribed board. That board was bestowed by emperor Guangxu on Li’s birthday. Here is an exhibition about Li Hongzhang with pictures and references. It could be divided into five parts, Li Hongzhang youth, Li Hongzhang and Huai army, Li Hongzhang and Westernization Movement, Li Hongzhang and diplomat, half defame an half fame(毁誉参半).
And now let us meet together outside of the gate and we will head for the next destination—the Memorial Park of Li Honzhang.
The Memorial Park of Li Honzhang is a general term of the tomb architectural complex. Li Hongzhang was buried here in 1903 after his death. There are lots of trees, tablets and pavilions. The Memorial Park was surrounded by a large area of tomb—protecting field.
OK, ladies and gentlemen, happy time has gone by quickly and you trip to the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang and his Memorial Park is drawing to a closer. First of all, I’d like to take this chance to express my thanks to all of you for your understanding and cooperation. I hope you will take back happy memories of your trip to Mt.Huangshan and I welcome you back sometimes in the future. At last, please take my best wishes to you and your families. Have a pleasant journey to your next destination!
