The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Building at Baxianqiao

The YMCA Building at Baxianqiao

The YMCA Building at Baxianqiao is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai.

The YMCA Building at Baxianqiao is located at No. 123, Xizang South Road. It was constructed in the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929) and completed in the 20th year (1931). Designed by architects such as Li Jinpei, Fan Wenzhao, and Zhao Shen, and built by the Jiangyujì Construction Company, the building features a 10-story reinforced concrete frame structure, covering a land area of 2,211 square meters and a total floor area of 10,422 square meters.

The building has a concave-shaped floor plan, and its exterior design imitates the style of Beijing’s Arrow Tower. The lower three floors are faced with artificial granite, with slightly decorated entrances and eaves. The middle five floors are clad in brown Taishan stone bricks, while the top floor features double-layered blue-glazed tile winged corners and upturned eaves, beneath which are bracket sets and beautifully painted beams and columns in the style of traditional Beijing architecture. The second-floor auditorium covers an area of about 400 square meters. Floors 4 to 8 and the 10th floor house the YMCA Hotel, while the 9th floor contains dining rooms on the east and west sides, each covering approximately 400 square meters.

The Young Men's Christian Association was founded in January of the 26th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1900), aiming to promote moral, intellectual, physical, and social education among youth and students. It organized various lectures and sports activities. During the anti-Japanese salvation movement of the 1930s, Lu Xun gave multiple speeches to young students here. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan, the YMCA actively participated in refugee relief and medical services for wounded soldiers. After the liberation, it was converted into Huaihai Hotel and is now the YMCA Hotel. This building is one of the earliest high-rise structures in China designed by Chinese architects in a traditional Chinese style and is considered a representative masterpiece by renowned architects.

It was designated as a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai in 1989.