Changde House, the Italian-style building located near Jing'an Temple, is well-known for being the former residence of Eileen Chang, a Chinese writer who received critical acclaim for her romantic novels. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A literary maestro

Changde House, the Italian-style building located near Jing'an Temple, is well-known for being the former residence of Eileen Chang, a Chinese writer who received critical acclaim for her romantic novels. Chang moved into the building in 1939 and lived in Room 65, located on the sixth floor.

She went to Hong Kong to study in late 1939, returning to Changde House in 1942. Between then and 1947, Chang wrote her most famous novels, including Lust, Caution, Love in a Fallen City and Red Rose, White Rose, in that apartment.

This is also the place where Chang first met her first husband, Hu Lancheng, a collaborator with the Japanese during World War II. Chang tied the knot with the then 38-year-old Hu in 1944. Their marriage ended after three years because of Hu's involvement with other women.

The building, which is also known as Eddington House, was built in 1936 by an Italian baron. Changde House is still a residential building and the wooden mailboxes beside the entrance have remained untouched over the years.

Address: 195 Changde Road