Lu Xun, Gongfei Cafe, and Shanghai’s Literary Coffee Culture

When you think of historic cafes tied to great thinkers, Paris’s Café de Flore or Vienna’s Café Central might come to mind. But in 1930s Shanghai, one unassuming cafe became a secret meeting point for China’s leftist literary circle—not for its espresso, but for its proximity to safety and its regular visitor: Lu Xun.

The answer to why Gongfei Cafe became so famous? Despite never serving its signature drink to China’s most famous writer, it hosted him—and other key figures of the Chinese Left-Wing Writers’ Union—repeatedly, making it ‘the most talked-about cafe of its era.’

Why Was Gongfei Cafe So Important?

Gongfei Cafe sat near the tram terminus on North Sichuan Road in Shanghai, right across from the famed Inoue Bookstore. Though it wasn’t Shanghai’s oldest or finest coffeehouse, it gained legendary status because of who gathered there. Chinese leftist writers used the cafe as a discreet meeting spot, especially during a time when authorities kept a close watch on political activity. Its location near a foreign-run business and across from a bookstore made it less conspicuous to local police.

What Did Lu Xun Actually Drink There?

Despite the cafe’s name and coffee-centric clientele, Lu Xun never ordered coffee. Not once. The writer—who famously avoided caffeine—consistently ordered only green tea during his visits. As writer Wei Mengke recalled, while others sipped coffee, Lu stuck to tea, sometimes joined by Xia Yan. Even though he didn’t touch the signature drink, his repeated presence made Gongfei Cafe a cultural landmark.

Who Else Gathered at Gongfei Cafe?

Beyond Lu Xun, the cafe attracted key literary figures. Yang Qianshu recalled that in the 1930s, Yang Hansheng often brought Left-Wing Writers’ Union members to meetings at Gongfei. The foreign ownership helped it avoid unwanted attention. In 1934, Xiao Jun and Xiao Hong—newly arrived from the northeast with manuscripts in hand—first visited Inoue Bookstore to see Lu Xun, who then brought them to Gongfei for conversation. Similarly, Zhou Yang’s wife would meet Lu Xun at Inoue, then bring Zhou to Gongfei’s second-floor private room for long chats over coffee and tea. For aspiring writers, the route was clear: Inoue Bookstore, then Gongfei Cafe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Lu Xun ever drink coffee at Gongfei Cafe?

No. Despite visiting Gongfei Cafe multiple times and being surrounded by people drinking coffee, Lu Xun never ordered or drank coffee there. He consistently drank only green tea during his visits.

Why was Gongfei Cafe significant in 1930s Shanghai?

Gongfei Cafe was significant because it served as a discreet meeting place for the Chinese Left-Wing Writers’ Union. Its location near a tram stop and Inoue Bookstore, along with its foreign ownership, made it less conspicuous to authorities, allowing writers to gather more safely.

What did other writers do at Gongfei Cafe?

Writers like Xiao Jun, Xiao Hong, Zhou Yang, and Yang Hansheng used Gongfei Cafe to meet, discuss literature, and strategize for the leftist literary movement. They often gathered in private rooms or at tables, talking over coffee and tea.

Was Gongfei Cafe known for its coffee?

Not particularly. Gongfei Cafe was not Shanghai’s oldest or best coffeehouse, but it became the most talked-about cafe of its time due to the famous writers who met there, especially Lu Xun.

Where was Gongfei Cafe located?

Gongfei Cafe was located on North Sichuan Road in Shanghai, near the tram terminus and directly across from the Inoue Bookstore.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historical Cafes

Pair your reading about Gongfei Cafe with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera, known for its bright red cherry and jasmine notes, or Yirgacheffe for its floral and citrus complexity. For something deeper, try the Brazil Queen Manor with its chocolate and walnut tones. These single origins reflect the diverse flavours appreciated by literary minds in historical coffeehouses. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.