Xiao Residence

The Xiao Fangfang Performing Arts Museum is located at No. 6 Zhongshi Street, south of the Sino‑American Bridge in Luzhi Town. Covering an area of over 1,000 square meters, the Xiao Residence is the best‑preserved Qing‑dynasty private residence still standing in the ancient town of Luzhi. Originally built in the fifteenth year of the Guangxu era (1889) by Yang Huishan, a martial scholar who passed the imperial examination that year, the house was later sold to Xiao Bingli, the grandfather of Xiao Fangfang, hence its name, “Xiao Residence.” This residence exemplifies the typical architecture of Jiangnan water‑town dwellings: oriented west‑to‑east, with a garden at the rear and the street in front, and flanked by a roughly 150‑meter‑long side lane known as Xiao Jia Lane. With its compact structure, ingenious layout, and exquisite carvings, the residence fully embodies the distinctive artistic style of Suzhou‑style architecture, making it a masterpiece of private residential design in the Jiangnan region. In 1998, the Xiao Residence was converted into the Xiao Fangfang Performing Arts Museum.

The Xiao Residence comprises five distinct sections, arranged in sequence as the gatehouse, tea hall, upper hall, side wing, and dining hall. Each successive section rises higher than the last, symbolizing “progressive advancement.” In front of both the tea hall and the upper hall stands a brick-carved gateway. The upper hall, occupying the third section, serves as the residence’s principal structure; its lower level features double-eaved verandas at both ends, embodying the quintessential hall‑style architecture. On the grand columns are inscribed couplets penned by Suzhou calligrapher Fei Zhixiong: “Honored with prestigious awards in film and television, she displays a radiant presence that shines with unique brilliance; her exhibitions boast distinctive character, and her illustrious achievements quietly endure in fame.” These verses pay tribute to the renowned Hong Kong actress Siu Fong-fong. On the upper floor of the residence’s upper hall lies the “Siu Fong-fong Performing Arts Museum,” divided into four zones—introductory hall, display of her formative years, exhibition of her cinematic artistry, and celebration of her exemplary moral integrity and artistic excellence—each highlighting her fifty-year career and remarkable contributions to the world of film and television.

In 1949, the Xiao family moved to Hong Kong. A year later, Xiao’s father passed away, leaving his mother to raise her young daughter on her own, a burden that soon became difficult to bear. Shortly thereafter, with the help of friends, six-year-old Xiao Fangfang—then known as Xiao Liang—landed a supporting role in the film “Little Star’s Tears,” winning audiences’ affection and marking the start of her screen career. In 1954, Xiao Liang officially signed with a film studio and co-starred with Bruce Lee in “A Single Star’s Blood and Tears.” The following year, she teamed up with the renowned actress Lin Dai in director Yan Jun’s acclaimed film “Miss Mei,” portraying the young heroine; her performance was widely praised, earning her the Best Child Actor award at that year’s Asia-Pacific Film Festival. Director Yan Jun was so fond of this bright and lively girl that he bestowed upon her a charming stage name: Xiao Fangfang.

Xiao Fangfang was born deaf in her right ear, yet she maintained a positive outlook and devoted herself wholeheartedly to her roles. By the age of 11, she had already become one of Hong Kong’s most celebrated child stars, appearing in 11 films. Among them, “The Story of a Lost Child” won widespread acclaim, and its theme song, “Only Mother Is Good in This World,” which she performed herself, remains a beloved classic to this day. Over the course of her career, she went on to star in more than 200 films, earning accolades such as the 1975 Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress for “Girlfriend,” the Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actress in 1988 and 1996, and the Golden Horse Awards for Best Actress in 1995 for “Woman Without a Shadow” and in 1996 for “The Chinese Feast.” At the 45th Berlin International Film Festival, she once again took home the Best Actress prize for “Woman Without a Shadow,” cementing her status as an international screen icon.

Over the years, Siu Fong-fong has continuously pursued further studies; on May 2, 1998, she earned a master’s degree in child psychology in the United States, becoming Hong Kong’s first film star to hold such a degree. In 1998, she founded the Protecting Youth Foundation and actively promoted efforts to safeguard children from sexual abuse. In 2009, Siu Fong-fong was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Hong Kong film industry through her exceptional talent.