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Hotel History

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Hotel History

The combination of architectural beauty and historical interest makes Taiyuan Villa one of the true treasures of contemporary Shanghai.

During the 1920s, the original owner likely spent considerable time reviewing the design for what must have been her "dream house." Most sources indicate that an English noblewoman named Marcus first lived here. However, the style of the house is very much French, with its Mansard roof, French windows, and eclectic interior, which uses the fleur de lis motif in many of the architectural details.

Taiyuan Villa is a "Boutique Hotel". The house was requisitioned by the Japanese Imperial Army during their occupation of Shanghai from 1941-45. After the surrender of the Japanese, the house was made available for tense and critical talks between the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-Shek and representatives of the Communist movement led by Mao Zedong. It was the broker of these talks, dispatched by the U.S. government in the mid-1940s, General George C. Marshall, whose name is more often associated with the house. The Marshall House was used as a government guesthouse during the first three decades of the People's Republic.

After the foundation of PRC, party and state leaders that have stayed here include Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Dong Biwu, Zhou Enlai and others. Leaders of many countries also stayed here as well as other government emissaries. Just like knowledgeable elders, Taiyuan Villa is full of stories and insights. It recaps the milestone events that happened before.

The grandeur and majesty of the Taiyuan Villa has been successfully recreated after years of meticulous restoration. As an important part of Ruijin hotel, the glamorous traces of history and unique combination of British and Chinese design elements at the Taiyuan Villa attracts visitors from around the world.