Former Residence of Zhang Mingqi

　　The residence of Zhang Mingqi is situated at the northwest corner of Marco Polo Square. Constructed in the early years of the Republic of China, it is housed in the current No. 80 Minzu Road within the former Italian Concession. The building exhibits a Romanesque architectural style, with a three-story brick-and-wood structure, a pitched tile roof, and a symmetrical facade. The central part of the third floor features a four-arched fan-shaped balcony supported by rope-style columns, complemented by an arc-shaped fan balcony. The eaves are supported by corbels adorned with floral and leaf relief carvings, giving the structure an elegant appearance. This was one of Zhang Mingqi’s residences in the Italian Concession.

　　Zhang Mingqi (1875–1945), courtesy name Jianbai, art name Hanzhai, was a native of Wudi, Shandong Province. He was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations during the late Qing Dynasty. In 1898, he served in the household of Cen Chunxuan and earned his trust. After 1900, he accompanied Cen to Shaanxi, Sichuan, and the Two Guangs (Guangdong and Guangxi), holding successive positions such as Supervisor of Education for the Two Guangs, head of the Camp Affairs Office, Dao of Taiping and Sishun in Guangxi, Provincial Financial Commissioner of Guangxi, and Governor of Guangxi. In 1910, due to bribery involving Yi Xian, he was implicated in the Guangzhou Uprising and fled to Hong Kong. Later, he returned to Guangzhou with the support of Yuan Shikai and Cen Chunxuan, and participated in the suppression of the Guangzhou Uprising. In 1913, he served as Civil Governor of Guangxi and concurrently managed military affairs in the region. In 1915, he became Inspector-General of Guangdong. In 1916, he supported Yuan Shikai’s attempt to become emperor and was granted the title of First-Class Count. In 1927, he moved to Tianjin. During his time in Tianjin, he colluded with the ousted warlord and politician Bai Jianwu and established ties with special envoys of the Japanese garrison troops. After the Japanese invasion of China, he openly collaborated with the enemy.

　　In December 1937, he joined the Chinese Buddhist Association initiated by Wang Yitang. In 1942, he was appointed as a council member of the North China Political Council along with Wang Kemin and Jin Yunpeng. He died not long after Japan’s surrender.

　　Transportation

　　Address: Northwest corner of Marco Polo Square

　　Transportation: Take bus routes 14, 462, 640, 802, 841, 901, etc., and get off at Minzhu Dao Station