Former Residence of Rong Zongjing

Former Residence of Rong Zongjing

The Former Residence of Rong Zongjing is a cultural tourism attraction.

Near the intersection of North Shaanxi Road and West Nanjing Road, there is a row of ornately carved stone low walls. For over half a century, the entrance here was kept closed year-round. In recent years, the once-sealed gates swung open, revealing the true face of this mansion: intricate carvings adorn the lintels and window sills; the windows are all made of colorful stained glass; the red building corners peek out from among the trees, and to the south lies a neat, flat lawn. Without a doubt, this is one of the few top-tier mansions in Shanghai and also one of the best-preserved grand garden villas in the city.

This is an independent three-story Western-style residence with a garden. It was once the early residence of the Rong family in Shanghai, commonly referred to as the Rong Family Old Mansion. The property covers a land area of 6.26 mu, with a building area of 2,182 square meters and a garden area of 2,475 square meters. The Rong Family Old Mansion is designed in an eclectic style with a reinforced concrete structure, and was designed by Chen Chuanjiang. The building’s façade is predominantly divided by horizontal lines, featuring a French classical style. The ground floor has a spacious porch and tall Ionic columns. The architectural technology, structural design, and residential facilities draw heavily on Western styles, while the floor plan, interior and exterior decoration, and courtyard landscaping retain more traditional Chinese customs and preferences.

Due to the growth of the Rong family and the expansion of their business ventures, family members gradually moved out of the old mansion to settle in other residences. The mansion remained vacant for several years. After the liberation of Shanghai, the property was rented out to the China Economic Research Institute by Rong Xiaofan, the agent entrusted to manage the estate on behalf of the Rong family.

In 2002, the Rong Family Old Mansion caught the eye of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who leased it for 10 years, making it the Shanghai base for various subsidiaries under News Corporation.

Transportation

Address: No. 186, North Shaanxi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

Getting There: Accessible by bus routes 01, 20, 24, 37, 48, 49, 71, 127, 304, 311, 330, 925, and others.