Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China

中华人民共和国名誉主席宋庆龄同志故居
Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China

Address: No 46 Houhai Beiyan Street, Xicheng district, Beijing
Opening hours: 9 am-5 pm (last entry 4:20 pm; garden clearing 4:50 pm)
Closed Mondays
General admission: 20 yuan ($2.78), 10 yuan for seniors aged above 60 and undergraduate students, free for seniors aged 65 or above, minors under 18 (inclusive), those with disabilities, teachers (Sept 10 only) and others
Tel: (+86-10) 64044205

The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China, is located in a tranquil and elegant garden located near Shichahai in downtown Beijing, having originally belonged to Prince Chun, Zaifeng (1883-1951), the father of Puyi (1906-1967), the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The garden features a serene pond, rugged rocks, lush greenery, and vibrant flowers, with pavilions and halls harmoniously integrated into the landscape. Soong Ching-ling (1893-1981) moved into this setting in April 1963 and lived and worked here until her passing on May 29, 1981. Later that year, the residence was officially named in her honor, and it was opened to the public on May 29, 1982.

The site features a variety of architectural styles, with different buildings serving distinct purposes. As a public museum, it showcases the life and legacy of its former owner Soong. Some of the buildings, dating back to the Qing Dynasty, have been preserved to reflect their original use as living and dining spaces. The main residence, located west of the older structures, blends Chinese and Western architectural elements and served as both the owner's home and office. It still contains original furnishings, including a living room, dining area, study, and spaces for personal recreation.

The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling is not only a place for visitors to explore but also a significant venue for events and conferences. It strives to be a vital repository for artifacts related to Soong Ching-ling and Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), an authoritative base for studying Soong’s life and ideas, and a platform for promoting the spirit of Soong Ching-ling and enhancing cultural exchanges between China and the world.