Former Residence of Zhang Xueliang in Shanghai

　　The renowned patriotic general Zhang Xueliang, courtesy name Hanying and art name Yian, was the eldest son of the Fengtian warlord Zhang Zuolin. He was born in June 1901 in Tai’an, Liaoning. Around the time of the September 18th Incident, Zhang Xueliang was a prominent figure but played a tragic role.

　　After 1933, he visited Shanghai three times and had three residences. The first was in March 1933 when he announced his resignation to the nation and prepared to go abroad for an inspection. He then came from Beiping to Shanghai, where Soong Tse-ven arranged for him to stay at No. 181 Fuxi Road (now Middle Yan’an Road). It was here that he overcame his drug addiction. The second time was on January 8, 1934, when Zhang Xueliang returned from Italy. Upon arriving in Shanghai, he temporarily stayed at a villa at No. 2 Rue Molière (now Xiangshan Road). His adjutant and chief of staff, Tan Hai, found a garden villa at No. 1 Gao Naiyi Road (now Gaolan Road), which was rented. Zhao Di (also known as Miss Zhao Si) also came down from Beiping to accompany him. Soon after, Zhang Xueliang took up the post of Director of the Wuchang Garrison and left Shanghai, but Miss Zhao often stayed here, hence this place was called the “Zhang Xueliang Residence.” The third time Zhang Xueliang came to Shanghai in mid-December 1935, he stayed at the garden villa at No. 1 Gaolan Road (Zhang’s Residence).

　　This building was constructed in the mid-1930s. It neighbors Fuxing Park to the east and is a three-story Spanish-style independent garden villa. Zhang Xueliang’s residence features a red-tiled roof, milky-white exterior walls, and delicate white eaves decorations. The building has layered variations in height, size, depth, and solidity, exuding charm reminiscent of traditional Chinese architecture. The main building of Zhang’s Residence is a protruding three-story structure. The ground floor contains hallways, the southern side has corridors, and the second floor includes a balcony. The main building covers about 800 square meters. The ground floor has a large hall, which was used to entertain guests at the time, with the guest room on the second floor. The bedroom of Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Di is on the third floor — a Spanish-style suite furnished with a large Spanish-style bed, now displayed with replicas made to resemble the originals. There is a 20-square-meter terrace outside the room. In front of the building lies a large garden of about 1,000 square meters named Di Garden. The garden is planted with camphor trees, cedars, wisteria, magnolia, osmanthus (gold and silver varieties), and features Manila grass lawns along with a swing set that can accommodate several people. At the time, Gaolan Road was a short street lined with London plane trees on the sidewalk, their branches providing dense shade. Adjacent to the park, it was a very tranquil spot, although Zhang Xueliang only stayed there briefly.

　　After the liberation, the building served as the office of the Democratic Construction Association of the Industrial and Commercial Federation in Luwan District. Major renovations were carried out in 1992 and 1994, and it was preserved. Now it functions as a guesthouse of the Shanghai Municipal Real Estate Administration Bureau, with several rooms named Jingxue Hall, Muliang Hall, Yiqing Hall, and Shaoshuai Hall. The walls of these rooms display photos of Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Di, as well as calligraphy by Zhang Xueliang. These are the only surviving calligraphic works by Zhang Xueliang in Shanghai.

　　Zhang Xueliang also hosted banquets for various friends and former subordinates at No. 1 Gaolan Road, discussing strategies for saving the nation. Although his stay in Shanghai was brief, it marked the beginning of his contact with the Chinese Communist Party and his active search for ways to resist Japan and save the country. Zhang Xueliang’s days in Shanghai were of particularly significant importance in transforming his thinking and actions throughout his life.

　　Address: No. 1 Gaolan Road, Luwan District, Shanghai

　　Transportation: Bus routes 167, 926, Inner Ring 146, 920, 986 Interval, 42, etc.

　　Next to the Zhang Xueliang Residence is the side entrance of Fuxing Park. Nearby, No. 2A Gaolan Road is the Official Residence Bar; close by, No. 16 Gaolan Road is St. Nicholas Church. The Zhang Xueliang Residence is not far from the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen. Going south along Sinan Road, you can also visit the Former Residence of Zhou Enlai and the Former Residence of Mei Lanfang.

　　Admission

　　Admission: 60 RMB

　　Opening Hours

　　9:00 – 17:00

　　Zhang Xueliang (1901～2001)　　Zhang Xueliang (June 3, 1901 – October 14, 2001), courtesy name Hanying, art name Yian, childhood names Shuangxi and Xiaoliuzi. He was a General of the Army (First Class), of Han ethnicity, originally from Haicheng, Liaoning. He was born on June 3, 1901 (the 17th day of the 4th lunar month), in Zhangjiabao Village, Jiujian Township, Tai’an County, Liaoning Province (formerly known as Sangzilin Zhanjiawopu). Known as the “Young Marshal,” he was the eldest son of the Fengtian warlord Zhang Zuolin and one of the “Four Handsome Men of the Republic of China.” He is also the namesake of various TV dramas. Battles participated in: Zhongdong Railway Incident, Central Plains War, September 18th Incident, Battle of Rehe, First and Second Zhili-Fengtian Wars Young Marshal Zhang Xueliang Northeastern China...... More Details +