Former Site of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of China

Former Site of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of China

The former site of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of China is a cultural heritage site protected by Jiangsu Province.

The former site of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of China is located at No. 33 Xikang Road (formerly No. 18 Xikang Road), and is now part of the Jiangsu Provincial Government Guesthouse (within Xikang Hotel).

In September 1936, the U.S. government appointed Nelson T. Johnson as the first U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China. Before the War of Resistance Against Japan, the U.S. Embassy was located at No. 82 Shanghai Road. After the victory in the war, in July 1946, the U.S. government appointed John Leighton Stuart as ambassador, replacing Johnson. The embassy was then relocated to Xikang Road, and the former Shanghai Road premises were converted into an information office.

The Xikang Road U.S. Embassy complex consists of three identically designed, equally sized Western-style buildings and three Western-style bungalows, built along the slope of the hill. Constructed in 1946, the three main buildings are apartment-style structures made of brick and stone, two stories high with a basement level. Each building covers a floor area of 936 square meters. The central front facade features a porch and balcony, with a hip roof and chimneys on both sides of the ridge and at the rear used for heating. The floor plan is concave-shaped, with the ground floor front and sides serving as living corridors, the middle section housing the living room and offices, and the rear containing the kitchen and dining room. Bedrooms and bathrooms are located on the upper floor, while the basement houses the boiler room and storage areas.

The three bungalows are situated behind each of the main buildings, serving as residences for attendants and servants. Each bungalow covers a floor area of 96 square meters, built with a brick-and-wood structure, featuring plaster-lath ceilings and standard wooden flooring.

After the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, the U.S. Embassy moved from Chongqing to Nanjing in April 1946. As the United States played the role of mediator between the opposing Nationalist and Communist forces, the U.S. Embassy became a focal point of global attention.

On April 23, 1949, Nanjing was liberated. On February 18, 1950, the last U.S. diplomat in Nanjing, Bacon, left for the United States.

In 1992, the former U.S. Embassy site was designated as a cultural heritage site protected by Nanjing Municipality.

Transportation Guide

Address: Within Xikang Hotel, No. 33 Xikang Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Getting There: Take bus No. 318 within Nanjing City and get off at Yihelu Station, then walk westward to Xikang Road.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Heritage Sites Protected by Jiangsu Province