Ba Jin's Former Residence

Ba Jin’s Former Residence (巴金故居, Bā Jīn Gùjū) at 113 Wukang Road is the house where the writer Ba Jin lived from 1955 until his death in 2005. It was opened to the public as a house museum on 1 December 2011.

The house was built in 1923. A Yangtze Evening News article says that before 1949 it was rented by a French expatriate. The main building is described as European in style. It looks like a three-storey house but is called a “false three-storey” building, with low double-pitched roofs, fine pebble walls and dark green wooden windows. The north annex was first a garage and boiler room. The second floor of the south annex was added in a 1982 renovation. English Wikipedia calls the house Spanish in style, so sources differ on how to describe it.

In September 1955 Ba Jin’s family moved in from Huaihai Fang (淮海坊), with special approval from Mayor Chen Yi (陈毅). China Writers Net says Ba Jin lived and wrote in the house for about half a century, until he died in 2005. Works it lists as written there include the essay collection Suixianglu (随想录).

After restoration the house opened to the public on 1 December 2011. The collection includes calligraphy and paintings given to Ba Jin by well-known figures, along with furniture and everyday belongings.

Admission arrangements are not confirmed. The sources consulted give no official hours or ticket price for the house. Secondary web pages report free entry by advance reservation, Tuesday to Sunday, with limits on daily numbers, but these listings are undated and may be out of date. Check with the museum before going.