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Famous family's home

Add:1301 Beijing Rd W.

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Beijing Road W. is home to a tall building with a tremendous entrance arch carved with Chinese motifs. It is actually the back of what was once the Bei family's home. The front of the house could be seen on Nanyang Road. The overall style of the building is Art Deco but the use of traditional Chinese patterns plays an important role. The mansion once belonged to Bei Zuyi, who was president of the Chinese Central Bank in 1946. The Bei family became extremely prosperous during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and later bought Suzhou's famous Lion Grove Garden in 1917. Famous family members include Bei Runsheng, known locally in his days as the "king of pigments" for his paint and dye business. He also helped finance the 1911 revolution and founded many schools. Bei Zuyi's son Bei Yuming, who is also known as I.M Pei, is a renowned Chinese-American architect. He gained international recognition through projects such as the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the "glass pyramid" addition to the Louvre in Paris, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and the Suzhou Museum.