RESIDENCE OF SUN YAT-SEN

The founder of the Chinese Republican movement and the nationalist party, the Guomingtang, Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), wrote one of China's most important history pages in 1911. Inspired by the ideas of Western democracy, it triggers the revolution that sounds the death knell of imperial power. This key character in China's history becomes the first president of the young republic. Its residence is located near the Fuxing Park, on the street formerly christened rue Molière, at the heart of the French concession. The building dates from the beginning of the century, and Sun Yat-sen and his second wife, Song Qingling, lived from 1918 to 1925, the year of the death of the father of the nation. Song Qingling continued to reside in this residence until 1937, when she left for Hong Kong. The furniture that had been distributed to the relatives and friends of the couple was collected by Song Qingling herself upon her return from Hong Kong in 1945, and the residence is now restored in its original state. Many documents, texts and photos also illustrate the years of revolution against the mandchoue dynasty. And Sun Yat-sen's personal library includes more than 2 500 books.

Sun Yat-sen's residence was classified as a historic monument by the Chinese government, which decided to open it to the public in 1985. The tour can be done with a guide that speaks English rather well (this service is included in the ticket price).