The Former Residence of Sun Yatsen
Last Home of the Father of Modern China
(West of Fuxing Park @ Sinan Rd.)
Phone: (021) 6437-2954
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Admission: 8 RMB
Nearest Public Transit: South Shanxi Rd. Station, Line 1
This two-storey Western-style building doesn't stand out among the nearby skyscrapers and mansions but it is the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen, the only modern Chinese politician to be adored by both the Mainland and Taiwan governments as the father of Modern China.
From 1918 to 1925, Sun Yat-sen and his wife, Soong Ching Ling lived in the Former Residence. It was donated by patriotic overseas Canadian Chinese in support of the revolution. It was here that Sun Yat-sen wrote his masterpieces such as Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen, Plans of China's Development, etc., made the plan of reforming the Three Principles of the People (Nationalism, Democracy and the People's Livelihood) and decided to align with the Soviet Union and cooperate with the Communists.
The residence witnessed his contributions to the Chinese revolution during the last years of this great man. After his death in 1925, Mrs. Soong continued to live here until 1937 when the Japanese army occupied Shanghai. After the war, Mrs. Soong provided her home as the permanent site to Mr. Sun's memory. In 1961, the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen was listed as being one of the Key State-preserved Cultural Relics.
The furnishings are displayed according to Soong Ching-lings recollection of how the house looked during her husbands final days. While walking through the house, try to get a sense for the man through everyday exhibited articles from the knives hanging over the fireplace, or the photos on the wall of the living-room, or the books lining the bookcases, or even a pair of glasses he once used.
The home of Doctor Sun Yat-sen and his wife, Soong Qing Ling, has been lovingly preserved. Open to the public, the beautiful, 1920s home is worth a visit for its colonial architecture and gorgeous landscaped grounds even if you are not familiar with its famous former resident.
Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), beloved founder of the Chinese Republic (1911), lived here with his wife, Soong Ching-ling, from June 1918 to November 1924, when the address would have been 29 Rue de Moliere. Here Sun's wife later met with such literary stars as Lu Xun and George Bernard Shaw (at the same dinner party), as well as political leaders including Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh (in 1933). Led by an English-speaking guide, visitors enter through the kitchen on the way to the dining room. Sun's study is upstairs, complete with ink stone, brushes, maps drawn by Sun, and a "library" of 2,700 volumes (look closer and you'll see they're merely photocopies of book spines). The bedroom and the drawing room contain more original furnishings, including an original "Zhongshan" suit, similar to the later Mao suit.
