The Tou-Se-We Museum stands on the grounds of a former nineteenth-century orphanage established by French Jesuit missionaries. Its most prominent feature is a massive, intricately carved wooden archway, known as a pailou, which was crafted…
Xujiahui Catholic History
This walk traces the centuries-old Jesuit heritage of Xujiahui, exploring its grand red-brick cathedral, historic library, and tranquil memorial gardens.
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1. Tou-Se-We Museum
2. 徐光启纪念馆
The Xu Guangqi Memorial Hall occupies a traditional Ming Dynasty mansion known as the South Chunhua Hall. This structure was moved from its original location to Guangqi Park to house a collection dedicated to the scholar Xu Guangqi. The…
3. St. Ignatius Cathedral
St. Ignatius Cathedral is defined by its twin bell towers and exterior walls of plain red brick, which rise above the street in a distinct Gothic Revival style. Completed in nineteen ten and designed by the English architect William Doyle,…
4. Shanghai Library Xujiahui
The Bibliotheca Zi-Ka-Wei, or Xujiahui Library, stands out for its modest, two-story Western-style brick buildings framed by ancient ginkgo trees. Founded in eighteen forty-seven by French Jesuit missionaries, it is recognized as the first…
5. 徐家汇观象台
The Xujiahui Observatory is distinguished by a central brick and wood wind-measuring tower that rises forty meters into the air, topped with a traditional wind vane. Established by French Jesuit missionaries in eighteen seventy-two, this…
6. Xuhuigongxue Former Site
The most striking feature of the former Xuhui Public School site is the Chongsi Building, a four-story structure of red brick and stone finished in nineteen eighteen. Its French Renaissance design is marked by a central auditorium and two…