When will the construction at the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea building in Shanghai, visited through the HERO History Research Society tour, be completed?

Construction at the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea building in Shanghai will take place from August 1 to September 14, 2026. During this period, entry will not be possible, and you can visit again after the construction is completed.

What is the total cost of the HERO History Research Society's Shanghai history tour?

The HERO History Research Society tour itself is free. However, you must pay a total of ¥112 in advance, which includes bus fares and admission fees for each location.

What are the admission fee and lecture duration for the Yun Bong-gil Memorial in Shanghai's Hongkou Park?

The adult admission fee for the Yun Bong-gil Memorial in Hongkou Park is ¥12. Here, you can learn about Yun Bong-gil's history and see his bust while listening to a 30-40 minute lecture.

Which Korean independence activists are interred in the International Cemetery within Shanghai's Soong Ching-ling Memorial Park?

In the International Cemetery within Soong Ching-ling Memorial Park, several independence activists who worked under pseudonyms are interred, including Mr. Park Eun-sik, the 2nd President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, as well as Mr. No Baek-rin and Mr. Shin Gyu-sik. This is an important place to honor the spirits of these independence activists.

Shanghai History Tour 2026: Korean Independence Sites &…

Shanghai History Tour: A Tribute to Korean Patriots with HERO History Research Institute

By Supypy @sue__ryan

✅ Tour Fee: Free, Bus & Entry Fees: ¥112 (pre-paid)

✅ Korean Provisional Government Building under renovation (08/01/2026 - 09/14/2026)

✅ Visits to Song Qingling Mausoleum, Hongkou Park, Kim Gu's Residence, and more

✅ A truly meaningful historical tour in Shanghai

1. Song Qingling Mausoleum & International Cemetery for Foreigners

Are you planning a trip to Shanghai, only to focus on food and photo ops?

While Shanghai is a vibrant modern city, it holds immense historical significance, especially for Korea.

It was, after all, home to the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.

Currently, the Provisional Government Building is undergoing renovations and is inaccessible, but it will reopen after 09/14/2026!

Korean Provisional Government under Renovation

08/01/2026-09/14/2026

Keep this in mind when you visit Shanghai, especially if you're exploring the Xintiandi area – it’s a must-see once reopened.

Having visited Shanghai multiple times, I realized I'd only ever been to the Provisional Government Building. My travels to Harbin and Dalian had introduced me to sites commemorating Ahn Jung-geun, sparking a desire to discover more unique historical locations in Shanghai.

That's how I found the HERO History Research Institute. They offer free tours that take you to significant Korean historical sites across Shanghai.

You can apply for a tour through the website below. Their partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs adds an extra layer of trustworthiness.

HERO History Research Institute Official Site

Shanghai Stamp Tourwww.ourbohun.co.kr

I chose the tour that started at 1:00 PM. We met at the Song Qingling Mausoleum, where we were given earphones – don't forget yours!

The Song Qingling Mausoleum is the final resting place of Madame Song Qingling, wife of Sun Yat-sen, a revered figure in China for her extensive work supporting children and the vulnerable.

While this site holds deep meaning for the Chinese people, it also carries significant weight for Koreans.

This is the International Cemetery for Foreigners!

Many Korean independence activists, who operated under aliases or never returned home, are buried here.

From Park Eun-sik, the second president of the Korean Provisional Government, to other less familiar but equally invaluable figures, their sacrifices are honored here.

We paid our respects to figures like Noh Baek-rin and Shin Gyu-sik, along with countless other independence fighters who worked tirelessly under assumed names. Their noble contributions were truly humbling.

Our guide from the HERO History Research Institute provided heartfelt explanations for each site. After a moment of silent tribute and a commemorative photo, we boarded the bus to our next destination.

While many tourists visit the Korean Provisional Government Building or Hongkou Park, the Song Qingling Mausoleum often goes unnoticed. This was my first time visiting, and I'm incredibly grateful to have discovered its significance.

2. Shanghai Hongkou Park (Lu Xun Park) & Yoon Bong-gil Memorial

Next, we arrived at Hongkou Park (also known as Lu Xun Park). Traveling by bus made navigating the hot weather much more comfortable. Having pre-paid for transportation and entry fees was a huge advantage; imagine how exhausting it would have been to rely on public transport for these distances!

The convenience of comfortable travel and engaging narration was definitely a highlight.

Upon arrival at Hongkou Park, a sign for the Yoon Bong-gil Memorial immediately greeted us.

Originally, there was a larger, paid exhibition hall, but due to management costs by the city, the paid area has been reduced, and a café now operates in a corner of the park.

Did you know that the memorial stone in this historic place was erected with the help of both Koreans and local residents? It's crucial that we remember and never forget this history.

This is the entrance, and the adult admission fee is ¥12. If you visit Shanghai's Hongkou Park, make sure to stop by.

Inside, you'll find a compact yet comprehensive space detailing Yoon Bong-gil's life and displaying his bust. It's a powerful tribute.

Standing for 30-40 minutes in the heat to listen to such an important lecture wasn't easy, but looking back, I realize it was a small effort compared to the sacrifices made by these historical figures.

3. Secret Hideout of Independence Activists

Leaving Yoon Bong-gil's memorial and Hongkou Park behind, we proceeded to the Korean Patriotic Corps' secret headquarters – a photography studio that also served as a clandestine meeting place for independence activists.

This site is slated for redevelopment soon, making our visit even more meaningful as it might be one of the last chances to see it in its current state.

Next, we visited the spot where independence activists shared meals with Kim Gu before their operations. A Chinese family currently resides here.

It's important to remember that the bronze plaque commemorating this site was the achievement of a South Korean high school student.

Finally, we concluded our tour with a farewell in front of the Korean Provisional Government Building. This entire experience, from 1:00 PM to 5-6:00 PM, was invaluable. It took us to places I might never have discovered otherwise and unveiled the hidden stories of independence activists.

My sincere thanks to the HERO History Research Institute for their excellent narration. I hope tours like this become more popular, allowing us to trace the footsteps of independence activists not just in Shanghai, but in other significant locations as well.

If your schedule doesn't align with a guided tour, consider doing some self-study using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Naver before exploring these sites on your own!

When searching for information within China, be sure to prepare by purchasing a local SIM card with the necessary data.

📍 Purchase discounted eSIM for China (VPN-free access)