Jing'an opens up to visitors
Two visitors obtain computer-generated photos of themselves standing in front of Shanghai Exhibition Center.
Three walking routes around Jing’an District were unveiled on Sunday.
The first route, focused on the history of the Communist Party of China ahead of the upcoming 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, starts from the memorial of the Second National Congress of the Party on Laochengdu Rd N. and goes on to the site of the Eighth Route Army’s and the New Fourth Army’s office on Yan’an Road M. The office was hidden in a shikumen building, but was important in uniting Chinese people to fight the Japanese invaders.
The route also includes the former residence of Mao Zedong on Maoming Rd N. where he lived with his family from June 1924 till to the end of the year.
A second route follows Shaanxi Road N. Built more than a century ago as Seymour Road, the road is dotted with interesting buildings in different styles, some of which are open to visitors, including the site of Chongde Girls’ School, where actress Ruan Lingyu studied, today's Qiyi High School.
The residence of Hong Kong tycoon Ho Tung on the road was designed by Hungarian architect L.E. Hudec.
The Greek revival-style Ohel Rachel Synagogue, built by tycoon Jacob Sassoon in 1920, harkens back to the 1930s and 40s when Shanghai gave refuge to tens of thousands of Jews fleeing persecution.
The last route, mainly along Yuyuan Road, shows the diversity of Jing’an. It includes Yugucun, a residential complex of shikumen houses, the Paramount Hall that was the Asia’s No.1 dance hall in the 1930s and former residence of underground CPC leader Liu Changsheng.
The city has put QR codes on 1,300 protected buildings giving access to the history behind them. More than 1,000 historical sites are open to visitors. By the end of this year, more than 2,000 historical sites, will have QR codes and bilingual services.
