As one of the oldest relics in Changsha, the Former Residence of Jia Yi has the longest history among the former residences of Chinese celebrities. It is located in Taifu Lane, Taiping Street, Tianxin District of Changsha City.

Jia Yi (200BC-168BC), a famous statesman and writer in West Han Dynasty in ancient China, was once a counselor of Emperor Wen in the Han Dynasty. Because he offended the dignitaries, Jia Yi was demoted to the position of Taifu (grand tutor of the king of Changsha Kingdom). Jia Yi spent three gloomy and lonely years here and composed many excellent works, hence the name of "Jia Changsha". Jia Yi and Qu Yuan are often mentioned in the same breath and jointly called "Qu Jia" as they are two intelligent but encountering people who underwent adversities, and were banished to Changsha.

For more than 2,000 years, the former residence has been ruined and rebuilt. And now the Former Residence of Jiayi consists of Jia Taifu Memorial Temple, Taifu Hall, Xunqiu Thatched House, Ancient Stele Pavilion, Wall Inscriptions and Changhuai Well which is now the only well-preserved site in the residence.

Today visitors here always linger in front of a famous couplet in front of the well, showing their respect for the great writer. The couplet reads: Only the old well knows the vicissitudes of life as time goes on; what is constant is the endless love of Changsha people for Jia Yi.