Shanghai’s Rebuilt White Horse Café and Its Refugee Legacy

When you walk into a historic café, you’re not just buying a cup of coffee — you’re stepping into someone else’s story. In Shanghai’s Hongkou district, the newly rebuilt White Horse Café offers more than espresso or cake. It carries the memory of a community that found refuge there during World War II, and the legacy of those who made it a home away from home.

In short: Yes, the original White Horse Café has been precisely reconstructed, and yes, the family of its founders recently visited and said it felt like coming home. A new sculpture called “Together Through Thick and Thin” now stands outside, gifted by the descendants of Jewish refugees.

What Is the White Horse Café and Why Does It Matter?

The White Horse Café was opened in 1939 by a Jewish man named Rudolf Mosberg and his relatives. They took over a small building at the corner of Changyang Road and Lintong Road in Shanghai’s Hongkou district — then a haven for thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Europe. The café became a central meeting place for the refugee community. It wasn’t just a business; it was a social hub, offering a taste of normalcy in a time of displacement.

Rebuilding History: The New White Horse Café

In early 2015, the Hongkou District government undertook a faithful, one-to-one reconstruction of the original White Horse Café. Every detail of the café’s pre-war interior was restored to its 1940s appearance. Today, visitors can tour the two-storey building and see the preserved layout that once hosted families, friends, and refugees sharing stories over coffee.

The Sculpture: A Symbol of Gratitude and Shelter

Outside the rebuilt café stands a striking bronze sculpture titled “Together Through Thick and Thin,” donated by Sara Imas, a descendant of Jewish refugees. The sculpture shows a Chinese mother holding an umbrella over a little girl clutching a toy bear — a powerful image representing the kindness shown by Shanghai residents to Jewish refugees. This artwork speaks to both the gratitude of those who found shelter and the compassion of those who offered it.

Ron Klinger Visits His Family’s Café

Ron Klinger, the grandson of the café’s founders, recently toured the rebuilt White Horse Café. Speaking inside the very space his family once ran, he said, “It’s just like coming home.” He also visited the newly redesigned Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum, which features 170 artifacts — 150 original items and 20 reproductions — along with 90 personal stories contributed by Jewish refugees and their descendants.

What’s Inside the Updated Jewish Refugee Museum?

The Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum, adjacent to the White Horse Café, reopened with a completely overhauled exhibition. All materials come from historical records collected by Hongkou authorities since 2007. The updated displays include 170 physical objects, of which 150 are originals. Additionally, 90 personal narratives have been contributed directly by individuals who lived in the area or are descended from those who did. These stories add depth to the exhibits and highlight the human side of the refugee experience in Shanghai.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the White Horse Café in Shanghai?

The White Horse Café was a café opened in 1939 by Jewish refugees Rudolf Mosberg and his family at the corner of Changyang Road and Lintong Road in Shanghai’s Hongkou district. It became a gathering spot for the Jewish refugee community during World War II.

Has the original White Horse Café been rebuilt?

Yes. In early 2015, the Hongkou District government reconstructed the café exactly as it was, restoring its original interior design from the 1940s. The rebuilt version is a faithful replica of the wartime café.

Who donated the sculpture outside the café?

The sculpture, titled “Together Through Thick and Thin,” was donated by Sara Imas, a descendant of Jewish refugees. It depicts a Chinese mother sheltering a little girl with an umbrella and symbolizes the support Jewish refugees received in Shanghai.

Did the café founder’s family visit the rebuilt site?

Yes. Ron Klinger, the grandson of the café’s founders, visited the rebuilt White Horse Café and said being inside it felt like coming home. He also visited the updated Jewish Refugee Museum nearby.

What is in the new Jewish Refugee Museum exhibition?

The museum now features 170 historical objects — 150 original items and 20 replicas — and 90 personal stories shared by Jewish refugees and their descendants. All content comes from historical materials collected in Hongkou since 2007.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historic Cafés

Pair your visit to the rebuilt White Horse Café with a cup of FrontStreet Coffee’s Yirgacheffe — bright and floral with lemon zest and jasmine notes — or their Brazil Queen Manor, a smooth medium roast with nutty chocolate undertones. For something richer, try the PWN Golden Mandheling, known for its full body and sweet spice. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.