At No.7 Xiangshan Road, Shanghai, stands a two-storey European-style building. It may not be that noticeable among the nearby high buildings and mansions but it has won deep reverence and admiration from visitors since it was opened to the public in 1988. It is the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen (also named Sun Wen), the great forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution, the founder of the Republic of China and the respected contributor to Chinese modern history.
From 1918 to 1925, Mr. Sun Yat-sen and his wife, Mrs. Soong Ching Ling lived in the Former Residence, which was donated by some patriotic overseas Canadian Chinese, in support of the Chinese revolution. It was here that Mr. Sun accomplished his renowned masterpieces such as Doctrines of Sun Wen, Plans of China's Development, etc., made the plan of reforming the Three Principles of the People (Nationalism, Democracy and the People's Livelihood) and put forward the three cardinal policies (alliance with Soviet Russia, cooperation with the Communists and assistance to the workers' and peasants' movements). It was also here that he received the representatives of the Communist Party of China and promoted the first cooperation between the two major parties in Chinese modern history (the Nationalist Party and the Communist Party).
The residence witnessed his enthusiasm and his contributions to the Chinese revolution during the last years of this great man. After his death in 1925, Mrs. Soong continued to live here until 1937 when the Japanese army occupied Shanghai. Eight years later, upon China winning the war, Mrs. Soong offered to provide her home as the permanent site to Mr. Sun's memory. In 1961, the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen was listed as being one of the Key State-preserved Cultural Relic Units.