The old Residence of Mao Dun is situated at the common boundary ofGuanqian StreetandXinhua Road,WuzhenTown, Tongxian County of Zhejiang Province.
Mao Dun (1896-1981), originally known as Shen Yanbing, was an outstanding revolutionary writer, cultural and social activist. Under the influence of the October Revolution in Russia, he vigorously took part in the May 4th Movement and the early communist movement in China, joining the Communist Group and becoming one of the earliest communists to make preparations for the founding of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai.
In 1930, Mao joined forces with Lu Xun to organize the Left-Wing Writers League, actively engaging in revolutionary literature and art work against the dark reactionary rule of the Kuomintang. When the Anti-Japanese War broke out, Mao appealed to progressive cultural people for movements of the anti-Japanese aggression and national salvation. Following several successes, Mao plunged himself into activities against the despotic rule of the KMT reactionaries and the civil war. After the founding of new China, he held many positions of importance, like the post of minister of culture, and was elected vice-chairman of the 4th and 5th National People's Political Consultative Conference. On March 27, 1981, Mao passed away inBeijing.
Mao spent his childhood and early youth in the old residence and later left his hometown forShanghaito work. Covering more than 600 square meters, the residence faced south, and had both front and back areas. The three, single-storied rooms at the front of the residence were altered according to Mao's own Japanese-inspired style, serving as his bedroom, study and reception rooms. The two-storied building with four rooms on each floor in the back was bought when his great grandfather conducted business in Hankou.
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