Whispers of literary giants and clandestine affairs linger in the air. You are now standing before Huaihai Fang. This seemingly ordinary lane house complex holds extraordinary stories within its brick walls.
Huaihai Fang is located in Shanghai’s Huangpu District. It stands as a testament to a bygone era. Construction on Huaihai Fang finished in 1927. This “new style” lane house residential area covers 1.7 hectares. It includes 199 brick and wood structures.
Originally, this place was called Joffre Terrace. The Catholic church invested in its construction in 1924. It was renamed Huaihai Fang after 1949. This happened when Avenue Joffre became Huaihai Road.
The architectural style here is remarkable. The three-story buildings feature red brick facades. They are reminiscent of French residences. Unlike typical Shikumen buildings, Huaihai Fang has its own unique charm.
In the 1930s, Huaihai Fang was home to many Russian émigrés. A lot of cultural figures also resided here. Number 64 once housed Xu Guangping. She was the wife of the famous writer Lu Xun. After Lu Xun’s death in 1936, she moved here. She compiled Lu Xun’s anthologies in this house. During a surprise raid, his manuscripts were hidden among coals in the kitchen.
Japanese soldiers abducted Xu Guangping in 1941. She was imprisoned and tortured for nearly 80 days.
Ba Jin also lived here. His home at number 59 was a hub for artists. Authors gathered in his living room. It was like a “literary and art salon”. He completed “Autumn” here. It was the last book of his “Torrent Trilogy”.
Painter Xu Beihong lived at number 99. He was famous for his ink paintings of horses.
Huaihai Fang even saw its share of scandal. Wu Tiecheng, the mayor of Shanghai, had a mistress at number 11. After an assassination attempt on T.V. Soong, security was increased when Wu visited. His affair was no longer a secret.
Today, Huaihai Fang is a protected historical site. It has been since 2005. You can find many famous former residences here. Xia Yan, Yang Xingfo, Chen Hansheng, and Sha Kefu all once called this place home.
The stories of Huaihai Fang are etched into its walls. These walls are a silent witness to Shanghai’s vibrant past. Take a moment to absorb the atmosphere. Imagine the lives that unfolded within these lane houses. Consider writers, artists, and even a mayor. They all left their mark on this unique place.