Former Residence of Chen Wangdao

Former Residence of Chen Wangdao

The former residence of Chen Wangdao is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a patriotic education base.

The former residence of Chen Wangdao is located in Fenshuitang Village, Chengxi Subdistrict, Yiwu. It was built by Chen Wangdao’s father, Chen Junyuan, covering a total area of approximately 430.9 square meters. The overall layout remains largely intact, featuring exquisite carvings and embodying the typical characteristics of central Zhejiang residential architecture.

The residence faces south and is a brick-and-wood structure with a front-corridor-style courtyard, consisting of a three-sided courtyard, a front garden, a woodshed, and other sections. In 1951, following the division of the Chen family estate, the property under Chen Wangdao’s name was donated to the government; in 2010, the remaining parts were all nationalized. It was opened to the public in 1984.

Chen Wangdao spent his youth at this residence. From 1912 to 1915, after graduating from Zhejiang No. 7 Middle School (Jinhua Middle School), he returned to his hometown to establish a school. During the “First Normal School Incident” in Zhejiang in 1919, Chen Wangdao realized the need for fundamental reform of the old system. In 1920, he returned to his hometown of Fenshuitang Village, Chengxi Subdistrict, Yiwu, to spread the truth, translating the Japanese version of The Communist Manifesto into Chinese. He completed the first full Chinese translation, laying the ideological foundation for the establishment of the Communist Party of China and the dissemination of Marxism in China. His work made a significant contribution to the Chinese revolution, giving the residence outstanding commemorative and revolutionary educational significance. Today, the former residence has become a red education base for the revolutionary faith of the Communist Party of China and the origin of stories about the pursuit of revolutionary ideals, holding extraordinary commemorative value.

The former residence of Chen Wangdao is a Yiwu Municipal Patriotic Education Base and a Yiwu Municipal Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Chen Wangdao (1889–1977)

Pen names: Xuefan, Xiaofeng. Native of Yiwu, Zhejiang. Member of the Communist Party of China and the China Democratic League. University graduate. In 1919, he taught at Zhejiang First Normal School; in 1922, he became the first Secretary of the Shanghai Local Committee of the Communist Party of China. He later served as Dean of Academic Affairs at Shanghai University, Professor at Anhui University, Head of the Chinese Department at Guangxi University, Director of the Journalism Department and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Fudan University, Minister of Culture of the East China Military and Political Commission, President of Fudan University, and Member of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was also President of the Shanghai Linguistic Society, Council Member of the East China Writers Association, ... More details about Chen Wangdao ++

Fenshuitang Village: Fenshuitang Village... More details about Fenshuitang Village ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units