The Former Residence of Jin
It is located at No. 24 Xihu Street, Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai, was built in 1926 (the 15th year of the Republic of China) by local gentry Jin Lianxun. Jin Lianxun was a shareholder of the renowned Yongtaiyuan Silk and Fabric Shop and also practiced medicine for a time.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, this mansion was occupied by the Japanese military and used as the Gendarmerie Headquarters. After liberation, it became the office of Zhujiajiao Town’s police station for many years. In 1997, it was converted into the Wang Chang Memorial Hall and opened to the public.
The Residence faces south, consisting of two main courtyards with a total building area of approximately 408 square meters and a width of 32.6 meters. It features a Shikumen-style courtyard wall and a modern two-story reinforced concrete structure, giving it an air of solemnity and elegance. The front building is designed with three bays, spanning 12.7 meters in width, supported by nine beams and capped with a hard gable roof. The eaves are extended with concrete brackets, showcasing a unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles.
The rear building features a second-story balcony with three bays and a veranda in front. The windows have sunshades protruding outward, also supported by concrete brackets. The first floor is paved with tiles, while the second floor is finished with wooden flooring, combining practicality and aesthetic appeal.
Behind the residence lies a charming garden of about 600 square meters. Within the garden are two four-sided pavilions and a covered corridor adorned with “beauty leaning rails”. The interior walls of the corridor are inlaid with inscribed stone plaques featuring calligraphy works by famous figures such as Wang Chang and Liu Yong. In 2004, the Jin Residence was listed as an immovable cultural relic in Qingpu District.
Zhujiajiao flourished as a commercial hub thanks to its exceptional natural environment and convenient waterway transportation. Once renowned for its textile industry, it earned the reputation of “Clothing All Under Heaven” and became one of Jiangnan’s most prosperous towns. The booming commerce also gave rise to the development of postal services. Visitors can see replicas of mailboxes, counters, family letters, and exhibits explaining China’s postal history from the Shang dynasty to the late Qing and early Republic of China, vividly reflecting the evolution of postal services in China.
