Former Residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen

Introduction
Located at No.7 Xiangshan Road, Shanghai, stands a two-storey European-style building. It is the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen (also named Sun Wen), the great forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution, the founder of the Republic of China and the respected contributor to Chinese modern history.

Background
From 1918 to 1925, Mr. Sun Yat-sen and his wife, Mrs. Soong Ching Ling lived in the Former Residence, which was donated by some patriotic overseas Canadian Chinese, in support of the Chinese revolution. It was here that Mr. Sun accomplished his renowned masterpieces such as Doctrines of Sun Wen, 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 put forward the three cardinal policies (alliance with Soviet Russia, cooperation with the Communists and assistance to the workers' and peasants' movements). It was also here that he received the representatives of the Communist Party of China and promoted the first cooperation between the two major parties in Chinese modern history (the Nationalist Party and the Communist Party).

It was in this building that Dr Sun decided to cooperate with the Communist Party for the first time.When Soong Ching Ling returned to Shanghai from Chongqing after World War II, she found her house on Xiangshan Road, where she'd lived with Dr Sun, abandoned and damaged.
In the spring of 1949, her brother-in-law, the former Kuomintang leader Chiang, directed that she be allowed to live in the white villa, shaped like a ship, at 1843 Huaihai Road M. She resided there until she moved to Beijing in 1963.After the war, Madam Soong offered the villa as a memorial to her late, great husband. It is now open every day to give visitors an intimate glimpse into a remarkable period in China's history.

Sun Yat-sen (12 November 1866 – 12 March 1925)
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese revolutionary, first president and founding father of the Republic of China ("Nationalist China"). As the foremost pioneer of Republic of China, Sun is referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in the Republic of China (ROC), and the "forerunner of democratic revolution" in the People's Republic of China. Sun played an instrumental role in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty during the Double Ten Revolution. 

Soong Ching-ling (27 January 1893 – 29 May 1981)
Soong Ching-ling known as Madame Sun Yat-sen, was one of the three Soong sisters—who, along with their husbands, were amongst China's most significant political figures of the early 20th century. She was the Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China. She was the first non-royal woman to officially become head of state of China, acting as Co-Chairman of the Republic from 1968 until 1972. She again became head of state in 1981, briefly before her death, as the Honorary President of the People's Republic of China.

Features
Today, all the rooms are arranged as they were when Dr. Sun lived here and most of the furniture and articles on display in the residence are the original ones used by Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Madam Song Chingling. The house is a fascinating insight into the life of the revolutionary man, a window into history which is usually peaceful and free from crowds.

Walking in the area just beyond the boundaries of Fuxing Park feels almost like walking through a backstreet of London. While Xiangshan Road leads to the always-chaotic Huaihai Road, the area is a picture of serenity.

Many heavyweight people in Chinese contemporary history once lived by the park, including Dr Sun, "Young Marshal" Zhang Xueliang and Zou Taofen, a famous journalist, political commentator and publisher.The garden house, with a history of more than 100 years, was placed under national protection in 1961. Some precious photos are still kept in the building, including group photos of the Chinese Communist Party and Kuomintang.

According to officials from the memorial, renovations are taken every 10 years in an effort to protect the historic building.

Information
Opening Time:09:00-17:00
Admission fee: (Adult/Child) ?20

Transportation
Bus Route:
Take bus 24, 41, 986 and get off Ruijin 2nd Road Middle Fuxing Road Station;
bus 911 at Middle Fuxing Road Sinan Road;
bus 42, 920, 926, 945 at Middle Huaihai Road Sinan Road

Subway Route:
Take Subway Line 1 and get off at South Shaanxi Road Station, get out from Exit 4
Take Subway Line 10 and off at Xintiandi Station,get out from Exit 6
Address:No.7 Xiangshan Road, Shanghai