Residences of China's rich and famous

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Residences of China's rich and famous

Because of its relatively young age (around 200 years), Shanghai does not have the ancient historical sites similar to those found in Beijing or Xi'an. But, in its favour, the city attracted some of the most influential and important people in both politics and culture in a critical phase of Chinese history. Some of the Shanghai residences of these notable figures have been preserved and some are open to the public. They offer a fascinating insight into the lives of the people who helped shape modern China.

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Mao Zedong
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Mao Zedong's house: This traditional two-floor Shikumen (stone gate) house was Mao's residence
when he was working in Shanghai in 1924 as party secretary.​

 

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Soong Ching-ling
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Soong Ching-ling's residence: Surrounded by lush camphor trees and a large lawn, this beautiful white villa with
a red roof was the Shanghai residence of Sun Yat-sen's wife, Madame Soong Ching-ling, from 1949.
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Sun Yat-sen

Sun Yat-sen's residence: This two-story European-style villa was the residence of Sun and his wife, Soong Ching-ling.



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Lu Xun

Lu Xun's residence: Located in a traditional neighbourhood, Lu's former residence is a three-floor,
red brick house and is typical in style to country houses in Shaoxing, Lu's hometown.


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Eileen Chang

Eileen Chang's residence: Chang lived here with her aunt before moving to Hong Kong.


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Mei Lanfang

Mei Lanfang's residence: Mei Lanfang, one of the most famous Peking opera artists and known for his qingyi roles,
a female character in Peking opera, lived in this four-floor Spanish-style garden villa from 1932 to 1945.


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Chiang Kai-shek

Chiang Kai-shek's residence: Chiang named the house "ai lu", (love cottage), and it was one of his three favourite houses.


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Ruan Lingyu

Ruan Lingyu's residence: She lived in this Spanish-style garden villa on Xinzha Road for all of her short and tragic life.



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