Does the name Li Haiquan ring a bell? He was Bruce Lee’s father and a famous Cantonese opera star. This is Bruce Lee’s Ancestral Home. However, Bruce Lee never actually lived here.
This house was built in the 1940s by Li Haiquan. He rented it out after moving to Hong Kong. In 1978, the Li family descendants reclaimed the property. It wasn’t until March 2019 that it opened to the public as a special exhibition. It is dedicated to Bruce Lee’s ancestry.
Bruce Lee’s Ancestral Home faces southeast. It has a partial layout. The area covers about 200 square meters. The construction area is about 400 square meters. The renovated home features a brick and wood structure. Some parts are concrete.
The interior showcases a unique style. Manchurian windows add to the charm. Sliding doors adorn the space. Carved screens offer glimpses of artistry. Wooden stairs connect the floors. This design restores the Xiguan architectural style.
The house has three bays. It is about eight meters wide and 21 meters long. Above hangs a plaque. It reads “Xiwu Family” in four characters. Carved beams line the top. Colorful carved glass screens decorate the bottom.
In the main hall stands a statue. It depicts Guan Gong. He is the god of martial wealth. The side hall serves as an exhibition area.
The theme of the exhibition is “Playing with the martial arts Cantonese charm”. The exhibition uses modern technology. 3D holographic projections recreate Bruce Lee’s moves. This enhances the visitor’s sensory experience.
Bruce Lee’s father and mother had five children. Bruce Lee was their fourth child. Bruce Lee and his wife Linda Emery had two children. They had a son and a daughter.
Bruce Lee’s wife Linda was his classmate. She was an Irish-American girl. She met Lee in 1963. She joined his “Zhenfan Martial Arts Academy”. Linda gave up her studies for her family. She supported Bruce Lee’s dream. After his death, she helped establish the Jeet Kune Do Federation.
Bruce Lee’s ancestral home is located in Yongqing Fang. You can reach it via line 1 to Changshou Lou. Ruyifang station of line 6 also works. As you leave, remember Bruce Lee’s words. “The law is based on the impossible and the infinite is limited.” Bruce Lee lives on in our memories.