Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence Memorial Hall

The Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Hall is nestled on the tranquil Xiangshan Road, amidst the bustling Huaihai Road. It is composed of two buildings: the former residence of Sun Yat-sen and the Sun Yat-sen Museum. Originally known as the Moli Ai Road Residence, the former residence was purchased by overseas Chinese in Canada and gifted to Sun Yat-sen. It served as the residence for Sun Yat-sen and his wife after he resigned from his position as the Grand Commandant of the Army and Navy in June 1918 and returned to Shanghai from Guangzhou. Both the museum and the former residence exhibit European architectural styles. The museum, not a former dwelling of Sun Yat-sen, was later established to display cultural relics, while the former residence is the actual place where Sun Yat-sen lived. Both buildings feature directional arrows to guide visitors through their respective tours, and neither structure is particularly large. Upon entering the memorial hall through the iron gate, one is greeted by a statue of Sun Yat-sen, with the Sun Yat-sen Museum situated behind it. To the left of the museum, a small room hosts periodic temporary exhibitions related to Sun Yat-sen. After viewing the exhibition, visitors can enter through the door adorned with the horizontal plaque reading ‘Sun Yat-sen Museum’. On the first floor, near the entrance, there is a rack with various materials about Shanghai tourism, which are available for free. The first floor does not feature any exhibitions, so visitors proceed directly to the second floor. Upon ascending, the small room to the right serves as a video room, where the documentary ‘Approaching Sun Yat-sen’ is played on a loop. The second floor houses items used by Sun Yat-sen, his Zhongshan suits, various Chinese and English documents published at the time, as well as a silver tripod gifted by patriotic individuals in support of his northern expedition. The calligraphy ‘All Under Heaven for the Public’ can be seen on the wall near the door. The third floor is generally off-limits to visitors, so one follows the directional arrows to descend to the first floor via another staircase, where a shopping area sells Sun Yat-sen-related souvenirs. Exiting the museum through the rear door leads to the building that houses Sun Yat-sen’s former residence. To the right is the lawn in front of the residence, surrounded by boxwood, camphor, and magnolia trees and flowers, with climbing roses adorning the front wall. Standing in the small garden evokes a sense of tranquility and elegance. To the left is the entrance to the former residence, which can be visited across two floors. The first floor includes a kitchen, dining room, and parlor, while the second floor features bedrooms, a study, and a small living room. Most of the furnishings inside are original and have been arranged according to the recollections of his wife, reflecting the original state of the 1920s and 1930s. Upon entering the former residence, visitors will find shoe covers in a box in the central room. Shoe covers are required for the tour. After donning the shoe covers, do not rush off; the room where the shoe covers are stored is also part of the tour, which is the kitchen. It contains a coal stove and a gas stove from the 1930s, both imported from abroad. The gas stove is still operational, a luxury not every household could afford at the time. Visitors then proceed to the dining room and parlor on the first floor. The parlor features a photograph of Sun Yat-sen, surrounded by a bell-shaped arrangement of colored ribbons, symbolizing Dr. Sun’s intention to awaken the Chinese people with the revolutionary bell.
Follow the guided tour arrows to the second floor. The bedroom on the second floor is modestly and warmly decorated, featuring a wardrobe, a dressing table, two single beds pushed together to form a double bed, two chairs, a reclining sofa chair, and a slanted writing desk. Adjacent to the bedroom is a study room, with bookshelves on the east, north, and west sides, a hexagonal table in the center, and a desk next to it. After visiting the small living room, return downstairs. The former residence is entered and exited through the same door; remember to return the shoe covers to the box in the entry room. The Xiangshan Road where the Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Hall is located, including the adjacent Sinan Road, has a pleasant environment. The streets are lined with towering French plane trees, and small western-style houses are hidden in the greenery. It is worth taking a walk along the road to see the scenery of the old Shanghai concession area. Next to the former residence is the Fuxing Park, which is also a place with old Shanghai memories. In autumn, the colorful fallen leaves of the French plane trees in the park cover the roads, making it very beautiful. Opening hours are Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-16:30 all year round; closed all day on Mondays; open on New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day from 09:00-16:30. Preferential policies: Students: Full-time college, middle, and elementary school students (with student ID), half price; Elderly: 70 years old (inclusive) and above with senior ID or ID card, free; 60 years old (inclusive) – 70 years old (exclusive) with senior ID or ID card, half price; Disabled: Disabled individuals with disability certificate, free; Military personnel: Active military personnel with officer ID, free; Retired cadres: Retired cadres with proof, free; Children: Under 1.3 meters (exclusive) or aged 6 (inclusive) and below, free; Large, middle, and elementary school students: Large, middle, and elementary school groups, free. Service facilities: Parking lot: [Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Hall Parking Lot in Shanghai], reference price: free; Address: No. 7 Xiangshan Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai; Spaces: 100. Site interpretation: To assist visitors, the museum provides free Chinese and English audio guides. Must-see tips: Photography is allowed outside Sun Yat-sen’s former residence, but not inside.

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