Birthplace of Chinese Communist Party, Shanghai

July 23, 1921, marks the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, but few people realize that its "birth" actually took place in Shanghai. It was here that the CCP held its First National Congress, setting the course for what would later become the People's Republic of China and transforming this unassuming shikumen house into one of China's most revered communist landmarks.

Among the highlights is the carefully reconstructed meeting room on the ground floor of the original shikumen house, where the First National Congress opened on 23 July 1921. Look for the long rectangular wooden table surrounded by round stools, recreated from eyewitness descriptions, with lifelike wax figures of the thirteen delegates and the two Comintern representatives gathered exactly as they would have appeared during the historic meeting.

After leaving the house, continue into the adjacent Memorial Hall where the permanent exhibition displays original Party documents, the first Chinese editions of the Communist Manifesto, delegates' handwritten manuscripts and letters, membership certificates, early newspapers, personal belongings of the founders, and hundreds of historic photographs.

After viewing the exhibition, follow the visitor route toward the original shikumen site and you will pass through the Oath Hall, a separate ceremonial space within the memorial complex rather than a regular exhibition gallery. It links the modern Memorial Hall with the historic congress house. Inside, look for the giant red Communist Party flag and the Party membership oath inscribed on the wall. This is where new Party members take their oath and existing members renew it on formal occasions.