The morning sun gently bathes the gray-walled courtyards of Dajixiang, a new multifunctional complex nestled in the heart of Beijing's historic Xuannan area, a place steeped in centuries of the city's cultural evolution.
One of the courtyards belongs to the restored former residence of Kang Youwei, a late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) reformer who, along with other similarly minded officials, launched what became known as the Hundred Days' Reform. The house stands in stark contrast to the modern office buildings surrounding it, yet remains a visual reminder of the area's storied past. Once a cultural hub for scholars, intellectuals and revolutionaries, this part of Beijing has carried its rich history forward into the present, reminding both locals and visitors of the profound historical transformations that shaped modern China.
