Former Site of the Second National Congress of the CPC and the Pudong Women’s School in Shanghai

Former Site of the Second National Congress of the CPC and the Pudong Women’s School in Shanghai

The Former Site of the Second National Congress of the CPC and the Pudong Women’s School in Shanghai is a protected cultural heritage site in Shanghai and a classic red tourism destination.

The Pudong Women’s School was the first school established by the Communist Party of China to train women cadres. Its former site is located at 632A Fude Li, South Chengdu Road, Shanghai (currently 42–44, Lane 7, Old North Chengdu Road, Shanghai).

In order to “cultivate talents for the women’s movement and advance women’s work,” the Party organization placed two advertisements in newspapers in late 1921 under the name of the “Chinese Women’s Federation,” and in February 1922, the Pudong Women’s School was founded. The school’s director (i.e., principal) was successively held by Li Da and Cai Hesen, with Wang Huiwu (Li Da’s wife) and Xiang Jingyu among those who assisted in running the school. The Party’s leaders and well-known figures—such as Li Da, Chen Wangdao, Shao Lizi, Shen Yanbing, and Shen Zemin—often gave lectures here. There were over 30 students, with notable ones including Wang Jianhong, Wang Yizhi, Ding Ling, and Qian Xijun. The school offered courses in Chinese, mathematics, English, physics, chemistry, as well as economics, pedagogy, and sociology, and frequently invited teachers to give lectures on women’s movement issues. Zhang Tailei and others also visited the school to introduce the Russian revolution and construction. The Pudong Women’s School operated on a work-study basis, with sewing and sock-knitting groups producing clothes and selling products. Under the Party’s leadership, the students also actively participated in social activities and the workers’ movement. By the end of 1922 and early 1923, the school closed due to financial difficulties, and some students later transferred to Shanghai University or its affiliated high school.

The Pudong Women’s School trained a large number of women cadres for the Party and the revolution, leaving a precious chapter in the history of the women’s movement. In May 1984, it was designated as a protected cultural heritage site in Shanghai. In September 2002, it was named a Shanghai Women’s Education Base by the Shanghai Women’s Federation.

Location

No. 30, Lane 7, North Chengdu Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China