A museum occupying the shikumen building where the Chinese Communist Party was founded in July 1921, preserved as a monument to one of modern China’s most pivotal moments.
At a glance
Located on Xingye Road in Shanghai’s Xintiandi district, this site preserves the modest residential building where China’s revolutionary future was decided. The museum weaves together the founding congress, Shanghai’s colonial history, and the broader narrative of modern China into a compelling whole.
History
In July 1921, delegates of the newly formed Chinese Communist Party gathered in this shikumen—a distinctive Shanghai townhouse style combining Chinese and Western architectural elements—to hold their first national congress. The building stands in what was then the Shanghai French Concession, reflecting the complex geopolitics of early twentieth-century China. Today the site functions as both historical preservation and pilgrimage destination.
What you see
The structure exemplifies shikumen architecture, a vernacular form unique to Shanghai. Visitors encounter period furnishings and reconstructed interiors that evoke the atmosphere of 1921, alongside interpretive materials that contextualize the congress and its significance to Chinese history.
Cultural significance
This modest building represents the birthplace of the Communist Party that would transform China. The site has become central to red tourism and remains a symbol of the revolution’s origins. It connects China’s colonial-era urban landscape to its twentieth-century political transformation.
Key facts
- Country: China
- Location: 76 Xingye Road, Shanghai (formerly 106 Rue Wantz, Shanghai French Concession)
- Year of significance: 1921
- Coordinates: 31.2221°N, 121.4707°E
Practical information & getting there
The museum is located in the Xintiandi district. For current hours, admission details, and guided tour availability, consult the venue’s official website or contact Shanghai tourism services.
Sources & resources
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