Tracing Zhou Enlai's Footsteps | Encountering the Glorious Past in Shanghai's Shikumen!

🌿In the 20th century, China struggled to find its way amidst turbulent times. As a frontier of the era, Shanghai witnessed countless clashes of passion and ideals. Zhou Enlai's Former Residence at 73 Sinan Road is an immortal beacon in this grand historical river. When the smoke of war filled the air and the nation was in peril, this place became a site of intellectual confrontation and hope. The footprints left by Zhou Enlai and other revolutionary pioneers here are like shining stars, illuminating our journey to look back on the past and interpret that turbulent era. 🌈The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Zhou Enlai's Former Residence in Shanghai‼️‼️! Avoid the pitfalls I've personally encountered＼(`Δ’) ❤️Sinan Road is home to a large number of old buildings with stories, but unfortunately, not many are open for visits. One of them, Zhou Enlai's Former Residence, is a place of great significance. It was once the workplace and residence of Premier Zhou Enlai and is now a memorial hall for the Shanghai Office of the Party Delegation. Next to Zhou Enlai's Former Residence is another old building, which is also part of the memorial hall and can be visited together. 📍Location: 73 Sinan Road, Huangpu District 🎫Tickets: 🆓 No reservation required 🕒Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:30, closed on Mondays) ⏱️Visit duration: 40 minutes 🚇Transportation: Take Metro Line 10/13 to Site of the First CPC National Congress · Xintiandi Station, Exit 5, and walk 700 meters; or take Metro Line 13 to Middle Huaihai Road Station, Exit 1, and walk 750 meters 🗺️Nearby old buildings: Sinan Bookstore Poetry Store (450 meters)⏩️See my series of notes for details🔍100 Old Buildings in Shanghai Open for Visits 📆Year of construction: 1921 📝History In 1921, it was developed and built by the Belgian Yipin Loan Bank and designed by Olales. In June 1946, the Party Delegation rented this house and established an office in Shanghai. Due to restrictions by the Kuomintang at the time, the office was externally referred to as Zhou Enlai's Former Residence. In March 1947, the Kuomintang blockaded Zhou Enlai's Former Residence, forcing the staff stationed in Shanghai to evacuate. In 1986, Zhou Enlai's Former Residence was officially opened to the public after restoration and underwent several subsequent renovations. In July 2024, the renovated Zhou Enlai's Former Residence reopened, with the addition of a garden area. 🏛️Architectural features A European-style modern detached garden house with four floors. It has a double-sloped roof with red flat tiles, exterior walls with cement mortar layers embedded with natural gravel finishes, and ochre-red painted wooden louvered windows. The ground floor is for auxiliary use, decorated with pointed arch porches, and the first floor has an external stone staircase and a large two-story balcony on the south side. The main entrance is on the west side, with red brick lintels at the entrance and features such as indoor fireplaces, staircase columns, and colored mosaic glass, reflecting the characteristics of the German Jugendstil style.