Sheng Xuanhuai played an indispensable role in the modernization of China, known as the ‘Father of Chinese Commerce’, and still holds the titles of politician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born in 1844 and passing away in 1916, Sheng Xuanhuai, styled Xingsun and nicknamed Yuzhai, was from Wujin, Jiangsu (now part of Changzhou). He joined Li Hongzhang’s staff in 1870. After participating in the establishment of the large civilian shipping industry, the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, he led the founding of enterprises and schools such as the Tianjin Telegraph Bureau, a telecommunications enterprise; the Shandong Inland Small Steamship Shipping Company, an inland shipping company; the Lu-Han Railway, a major domestic north-south railway line; the China Merchants Bank, a self-managed bank by Chinese; the Han-Ye-Ping Iron and Steel United Company, a steel conglomerate; the Beiyang University Hall (today’s Tianjin University), a polytechnic university; as well as the Hubei Coal and Iron Mining Headquarters, the Huasheng Textile General Factory, and the Nanyang Public School (today’s Jiaotong University). Sheng Xuanhuai, a native of Changzhou, although he was active outside for a long time, his hometown still preserves his ancestral home. The former residence, a hard mountain structure wooden building, was jointly built by Xuanhuai’s father Sheng Kang and his nephew Yu Huai, with five main halls, four flower halls, two rooms with an inner garden, and yellow stone rockeries. His life is now presented in the form of graphic and text exhibitions. The opening hours are all year round from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 16:00; the venue is closed all day on Mondays.
Former Residence of Sheng Xuanhuai
Sheng Xuanhuai played an indispensable role in the modernization of China, known as the ‘Fathe[...]
