China has a long and rich dynastic history, but that era ended in 1911 with the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty. Soon thereafter several competing political parties and ideologies emerged. In 1949 the Communist Party triumphed and the People’s Republic of China was founded, that the people might rule themselves. The Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China – known as the Shikumen Building, located at 76 Xingye Rd, Shanghai – is a symbol of free and independent China and a popular tourist destination. Over 10 million people have visited in the last fifty years.

The building was built in 1920 as home for two communist party members. It’s a two story grey stone building with red arched doorways and windows. In 1921 a dozen plus communist groups held a joint meeting in the living room on the ground floor there and so this place came to be known as the site of the First National Congress of the communist party.

The house was converted into a museum, and opened to the general public five years ago. The Chinese government has taken great pains to keep the living room exactly like it was when the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held here, except for the meeting transcripts around the room. One can almost hear the discussion taking place, the People’s Republic of China taking shape.

On the second floor is a 450 square-meter hall with photos, documents and relics of the revolutionary period, over 100 displays in total. The most interesting section of the house is the wax hall, where wax statues of the meeting attendees are on display. Mao Zedong stands there as though delivering a speech while the others listen attentively.

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