Cai Yuanpei Former Residence

Cai Yuanpei’s Shanghai sanctuary. The Cai Yuanpei Former Residence stands before us, a yellow Western-style house with a steeply sloping roof and a dark wooden frame. It’s a quiet testament to a life dedicated to education and revolution. Cai Yuanpei, a pivotal figure in China’s educational reform, called this place home. The residence, nestled in Shanghai’s Jing’an District, offers a glimpse into the life of this remarkable man. Cai Yuanpei’s legacy is etched into the very foundation of modern Chinese education. He championed modern science and art, introducing them into textbooks and reshaping the educational landscape. He served as the first education minister of the Republic of China and president of Peking University. He also founded the National Academy of Art, the precursor to the esteemed China Academy of Art. Shanghai played a significant role in Cai’s life. It was here that he experimented with his educational methods, establishing schools and testing his innovative approaches. In 1927, he founded the precursor to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, China’s first state-owned music school. He also contributed significantly to the Commercial Press, helping to publish China’s first modern textbooks. Cai Yuanpei moved to this specific residence on Huashan Road in October 1937. From this house, he sent a powerful telegraph to the Nine Power Treaty Conference. He, along with other university presidents, urged the convention to condemn Japan’s aggression against China and its destruction of cultural and educational institutions. The residence itself is a blend of elegance and warmth. The grey pebble walls and red tiled roof create a harmonious contrast. A large lawn to the south, a small greenhouse, and a variety of trees surround the house, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Inside, a bronze sculpture of Cai Yuanpei greets visitors. His personal belongings, including his works, books, and letters, remain, preserving the spirit of his presence. An oil painting by Liu Haisu and a portrait painted by Cai’s wife, Zhou Jun, adorn the walls. A poem inscribed by Cai Yuanpei himself accompanies the portrait, a testament to their enduring bond. He lived here until the Japanese occupation of Shanghai forced him to relocate to Hong Kong, where he passed away in 1940. His final words echoed his lifelong dedication: “Save the country with science, and save the nation with aesthetic education.” The Cai Yuanpei Former Residence stands not just as a house, but as a symbol of a life devoted to progress, education, and unwavering patriotism.