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Chan LaiwaChinese billionaire
Country:
 China |
Content:
- Biography of Chan Laiwa
- Early Life and Family Background
- Entrepreneurial Journey
- China Red Sandalwood Museum
- Philanthropy and Personal Life
Biography of Chan Laiwa
Chan Laiwa, a Chinese billionaire entrepreneur, is the founder and chairman of the Fuwah International Group, one of the largest commercial developers in Beijing. She is recognized as one of the 19 female billionaires worldwide.
Early Life and Family Background
Chan Laiwa was born in 1941 in the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. She hails from a distinguished Manchu family belonging to the Yellow Banner clan. Unfortunately, her family fell into poverty when the Manchu emperor's family collapsed at the time of her birth. Due to their dire circumstances, a young Chan dropped out of school and started her own business in furniture repair.
Entrepreneurial Journey
In the early 1980s, Chan relocated to Hong Kong and expanded her business into furniture buying and selling. Her business thrived in Hong Kong, allowing her to amass enough wealth to purchase 12 villas. Towards the end of the 1980s, Chan moved back to Beijing to expand her business into real estate. In the early 1990s, she founded the Fuwah International Group.
Although the company primarily focuses on real estate, it is also involved in various other industries, including agriculture, tourism, electronics, and the production of sandalwood art pieces. In recent years, Chan has stepped back from her business ventures and entrusted the management of her enterprises to her son, choosing to dedicate her time fully to her China Red Sandalwood Museum.
China Red Sandalwood Museum
The China Red Sandalwood Museum was established by Chan Laiwa in 1999, with an investment of 20 million yuan. Spanning an area of 25,000 square meters, the museum features a 10,000-square-meter exhibition hall. The museum was built out of Chan's deep love for red sandalwood, which she first encountered in her childhood at the Summer Palace, where furniture was crafted from this type of wood.
Despite its magnificence, the museum remains relatively unknown. One of the reasons for this is its remote location from the center of Beijing, leading it to be excluded from the must-visit tourist spots. However, those who have made the journey and paid the entrance fee of 50 yuan (30 yuan for students, retirees, and tour groups) have been left with an indelible impression, including the former mayor of Moscow.
The museum showcases four floors of exhibits, featuring furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, wooden figurines and miniatures, Buddhist art pieces, silk embroidery paintings, and more.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
Chan Laiwa is also known for her philanthropic activities. She has donated 265 million yuan to aid those affected by natural disasters in 2004 and 130 million yuan in 2005. She is married and has a son and two daughters. Currently, she resides in her museum.
