Former Residence of Rong Desheng in Shanghai

Former Residence of Rong Desheng in Shanghai

The Former Residence of Rong Desheng in Shanghai is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai Municipality.

Rong Desheng (1875–1952), given name Quan and courtesy name Desheng, was a native of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, and one of China’s greatest national capitalists. He “devoted nearly 60 years to industries such as textiles, flour milling, and machinery, enduring the reactionary rule and oppression of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, while striving arduously,” and was renowned as the “King of Flour” and the “King of Cotton Yarn.”

Rong Desheng’s former residence in Shanghai is located at No. 20, Lane 18, Gao’an Road, Xuhui District. It is an independent modern garden villa built in 1939. The design is ingenious, the layout rational, and the style practical, simple, and innovative. The yellow cement textured walls reflect the down-to-earth and unpretentious character of Rong Desheng, an industrialist who valued substance over fame. The villa faces south, and the ground floor foyer features two Doric-style columns inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, harmonizing classical Western design with modern architectural aesthetics.

To the comfort of the late Mr. Rong, the Rong family remained illustrious for three generations. His son, Rong Yiren, former Vice President of China, was known as the “Red Capitalist”; his grandson, Rong Zhiqiang, was hailed as a “red chip” tycoon and a “reserved billionaire,” topping the 2004 Forbes China Rich List. After the liberation, the Rong family donated the garden to the government, which has since been repurposed as the Xuhui District Children’s Palace.

Transportation Guide

Address: No. 20, Lane 18, Gao’an Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai

Getting There: Take bus routes 15, 93, 167, 198, 315, 320, 824, or 830 in Shanghai and get off at Gao’an Road Station.