The History of Refuge and Migration Remaining in Hongkou Alley

During the 1930s and 40s, Shanghai was a rare sanctuary for European Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. In the Hongkou Tilanqiao area, synagogues, relief organizations, parks, theaters, and residential alleys are closely clustered together. After exploring the museum's artifacts and personal narratives, coming back to the streets makes it easier to understand how nameless buildings and small parks sustained the community's daily life.

We have organized eight actual sites around the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, including the Ohel Moses Synagogue, Huoshan Park, and the old site of the JDC office. Some of these are currently residential buildings, and the precise scope of public access may vary. Walk along the museum’s official map and on-site markers without entering buildings or filming everyday life. This itinerary is crafted to remember the history of refuge, relief, and coexistence, rather than focusing on consumer-oriented photo zones.

This tour is suitable for a short route starting from the museum, walking along Huoshan Road and Zhou Shan Road, and returning to Tilanqiao Station. Reading the timeline and stories of individuals first reveals that the JDC office, parks, and old cultural spaces were not just simple old buildings but a network for survival. The varying degrees of remaining traces at each site are also part of history.

We should remember individual names, forced migration, and coexistence with local residents, rather than consuming the history of refuge like an intriguing urban legend. Observe religious customs in the synagogue and avoid taking facial or window photographs in residential alleys. Since the location of markers may change due to redevelopment or relocation, let’s rely on the museum’s guidance. Spending two to three quiet hours reading thoroughly and walking is more meaningful than simply increasing the number of locations visited.