Now I know why this house is a peace of treasure in Chuan Sha. Not only is it a historic courtyard; according to Professor Cai, one of the early town planners of Pudong New District, this is where Soong Ching Ling was born!

A Bauhaus Building erected in 1938 and completed in 1941.

Note: No visitors allowed to this building and it cannot be seen from the gate.

Text from Cintia’s DC newsletters

Tao was working in Shanghai in the 1930s and participated in various projects, including the design of a small structure for the New Wing On Building. The 2-storey residence was built in 1930 in a layout of the Chinese character 回, which means RETURN in English. Part of the structure was demolished when we visited it, and although we were able to hear some dishwashing noises coming from the second floor, we were not able to see a shadow of a living human–Father Xie kept yelling ‘Is there anyone?’, but nobody answered! I don’t mean there’s something wrong, nor are we going to scare ourselves, it’s only a bit sad we couldn’t enter the hallways.

The 600sqm building is a mixture of East and West. The roof tiles and the wooden structure of the interior are built in the style of a Chinese residence.

The church has its foundation laid on 8th December, 1864. Designed by a French priest, it was donated by a Chinese local called Qian Jing Nan. Therefore, the style of the church bears some Chinese Jiang Nan architectural style. Notice the black roof top and the wooden doors.

Not much is known about this church and it is said that it will be gone shortly.

Built in 1897, this church was used as a factory during the 60s and 70s. It underwent a restoration in the early 1990s before it was listed as a protected monument in 2001. It can accommodate 2000 people and the 4.7-meter bell tower boasts good views of the sea and the town. However, we were not fortunate enough to even see a priest who we can ask for permission when we last visited. Nevertheless, the splendid interior (considering this is Shanghai!) of the church is enough to make our jaws drop… … You know what? The locals dubbed this area as ‘Little Europe’!

Text from Cintia’s diary.

… … It took Gao (Our Driver) and me some time before we can find Zhongshi Street where the Chuan Sha Catholic Church is hidden. Again we were blessed to enter the 137-year old church without much problems. We were greeted by Father Xie, the caretaker of the church. Originally known as The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, it was rebuilt in 1879 and expanded again in 1926. Church activities were resumed in 1981… …

Chinese courtyard located in Lujiazui