Former Residence of Sun Zhongkai

Former Residence of Sun Zhongkai

The former residence of Sun Zhongkai is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Sun Zhongkai is located at No. 120 Xinhua Road. Built in January 1933, it was designed by Chinese engineer Yan Ziheng. The residence features a large courtyard with a gate modeled after an arch of triumph, resembling a traditional house-style entrance. The courtyard is rectangular in shape, stretching from east to west, and houses the central building, the east building, and the west building, all arranged from north to south and constructed with brick and wood. The central building has three stories in the middle, four stories on both sides, and three stories at both ends, with a multi-sloped barrel tile roof. The lower level in the center protrudes to form a platform in front of the second-floor foyer, with a red ceramic tile surface. On either side are arc-shaped single-flight stairs mimicking bluestone-textured plaster. Except for the front exterior, which uses glass windows and concrete staircases, the rest feature Philippine hardwood doors, windows, and wooden staircases. The east building has two stories, with parts of it extending to three stories. The first floor includes a foyer, study, dining room, and living quarters, while the second floor contains bedrooms and bathrooms. The west building has three stories, with the lower level’s center section protruding to form a foyer, topped by a second-floor balcony adorned with classical vase-shaped balustrades. On both sides of the balcony entrance on the second floor are classical double columns that rise through to the third floor. The eaves feature triangular pediments. The top floor has overhanging eaves and decorative parapets. Within the courtyard are also a gatehouse, garage, kitchen, storage room, and a small garden. The building is currently used by the Peace District Committee of the Communist Party of China and is listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Tianjin.

Sun Zhongkai, a native of Tianjin, was born in 1893 during the 19th year of the Guangxu reign. He was one of the “New Eight Great Families” of Tianjin (after the Xinhai Revolution, Tianjin popularized the notion of the “New Eight Great Families,” many of whom, such as the Sun family of Yuanlong, the Ji family of Dunqinglong, the Fan family of Zhouyixing, and the Jin family of Ruixingyi, belonged to the emerging bourgeoisie). The Sun family amassed wealth through cotton yarn trading and was the owner of the well-known Tianjin silk and satin shop Yuanlong. After 1921, they established the Qingsheng Cotton Yarn Shop, monopolizing the sale of all cotton yarn produced by the Yuyuan Cotton Mill. They also invested successively in other cotton yarn businesses such as Yuanju, Yuanyu, Tongchengxing, and Longsheng, as well as in banking firms like Pufeng, Xiangfeng, and Qingyi, and grain businesses like Qingyi Rice and Flour Shop... More details about Sun Zhongkai ++