Introduction of the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling

The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People’s     Republic of China, is located on the north bank of the Houhai Lake of Shichahai, Beijing.   It covers an area of more than 22,000 square meters, of which one fourth was used for    buildings with the rest as gardens, ponds and lawns. First built during the reign of           Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911), this graceful and elegant courtyard      with its buildings was successively occupied by various nobles and high-ranking officials until 1888 when Empress Dowager Cixi granted it to Yi Xuan or Prince Chun, Emperor     Guangxu’s father. He was succeeded by Zai Feng, Prince Regent and father of Emperor Xuantong(1909-1911), the last emperor of the Qing dynasty.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Communist Party of China and the People’s government planned to build a house in Beijing for Soong Ching Ling(Mme. Sun Yat-sen), then Vice Chairman of PRC. Considering that resources should be       first used for national construction, she declined the offer again and again. The issue was brought to the attention of Premier Zhou En-lai. He personally selected this former royal garden for Soong Ching Ling, and a small two-storey building with combined Chinese     and Western construction styles was added in the west side of the garden. She accepted and moved in in April 1963. Since then, she lived and worked here till her passing away    on May 29, 1981.

In October 1981, the garden with its building was officially named as“Former          Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China”, and designated by the State Council as one of China’s foremost important monumental buildings. On 29 May 1982, it was formally inaugurated and opened to the public. The      Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the        National People’s Congress and the State Council held a grand ceremony here, where    Deng Yingchao, Liao Chengzhi, Xi Zhongxun and other party and state leaders attended   the unveiling ceremony.

Upon arriving at the residence today, you can visit the Exhibition of Soong Ching       Ling’s Life, the original display in the two-story building, and ancient buildings in the      garden. It has become a National 3A Scenic Area, a National Patriotic Education               Demonstration Base, a National Youth Education Base, a National Women’s Patriotism    Education Base, a National Research and Practice Education Base for Primary and            Secondary School Students, and a Clean Government Education Base in Beijing. It is now not only a famous tour spot, but also a good place people can learn modern and             contemporary history of China.

Add: No.46 Houhaibeiyan, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Postcode:100009

Tel: Tickets: 64044205 ext. 829    Office: 64073653

Complaints: 64044205 ext. 815     

Emergency: 84010957  84029490

Website: www.sql.org.cn

Opening Hours:

Summer Time (April to October):  9:00-17:30; No admission after 17:00

Winter Time (November to March):  9:00-16:30; No admission after 16:00

Public Transport:

1. Bus: Take routes 5, 27, 44, 55, 135, 380, 409, 625 or 919 to Deshengmen Station

2. Subway: Take Line 2 to Jishuitan Station (Exit C), or take Line 8 to Shichahai   Station (Exit A)