General Sun Li-jen's Former Residence Introduction
On July 1, 2002, the residence of General Sun Li-ren was registered as a historical building. The Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau began restoration work in 2009. Family members and former subordinates actively organized the "Sun Li-ren Memorial Museum," collecting and organizing the general's manuscripts, photographs, artifacts, and more, to showcase his life achievements and provide materials on modern Chinese history for academic research and public commemoration and admiration. The "Sun Li-ren Memorial Museum" officially opened on November 21, 2010. To visit the residence of General Sun Li-ren, prior reservation is required, and it is only open to the public on alternate weekends at scheduled hours. Upon entering the residence, one will find a standard Japanese-style garden home, as if time has shifted. It is recommended to slow down and listen to the stories of General Sun and the residence, immersing oneself in the narratives within this Japanese family structure. Sitting on the floor and gazing out at the garden through the large windows allows visitors to enjoy the unique ambiance of the city. General Sun Li-ren (December 8, 1900 – November 19, 1990), with the courtesy name Fu-min and the pseudonym Zhong-neng, was born in Jinniu Township, Lujiang County, Anhui Province, during the late Qing Dynasty. His father, Sun Xi-ze, was a juren (a degree holder) from Jiangnan in the 20th year of the Guangxu era and held various government positions including an official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Governor of Dengzhou in Shandong, and Head of the Shandong Provincial Court. After the establishment of the Republic of China, he served as the president of Peking University and later as a consultant in the Presidential Office. His uncle, Sun Hong-ze, was a successful candidate in the third year of the Guangxu era and served as the magistrate of He County in Guangxi and the supervisor of the Huwei customs in Taiwan. At the age of seven, Sun Li-ren entered a private school, where he was taught by Song Zhi-zhong, establishing a foundation in Chinese and English, and later learned German during his time in Shandong. It is said that witnessing the oppression of Chinese people by Germans in the Shandong Concession at the age of nine inspired him to pursue a military career. The residence of General Sun Li-ren is a Japanese-style bungalow with a garden. He was politically imprisoned here for 33 years, and after his passing in November 1990, family members and former subordinates actively organized the "Sun Li-ren Memorial Museum," planning to collect and organize his manuscripts, photographs, artifacts, and more, to showcase his life and significant events in modern Chinese history while also offering resources for academic research and public homage. The Sun Li-ren Memorial Museum was established on November 21, 2010.
