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Few days ago I went for a walk around Houhai lake and found this very interesting place to visit. It’s the former residence of Soong Ching Ling.

  

Basic Information

The former residence of Soong Ching Ling, whose address is no.46 Houhaibeiyan at Srichahai, is an elegant landscape courtyard, which used to be the mansion and garden of Zaifeng, or Prince Chun of the late Qing Dynasty. It is now a state protected historic site. Starting from 1963, Soong lived and worked here until her death in 1981. Opened to the public in 1982, the former residence retains its appearance during Soong’s inhabitation. Soong was praised by Premier Zhou Enlai as “a treasure of the country”.

This place was originally the garden of Zaifeng, Prince Chun and father of the last emperor Aisin Gioro Puyi. The mansion of Prince Chu, later known as the Regent’s Mansion, also included the group of buildings on the eastern side of the garden. The mansion was first built during the Kangxi reign as the residence of Mingzhu. It was turned into the second residence of Heshen during the Qianlong years, and become the mansion of Prince Zheng in the Jiaqing reign and the mansion of Prince Chun in the 14th year of Emperor Guangxu.

 

After the founding of the Peole’s Republic of China, the Party and government intended to build residence for Soong Ching Ling. But she declined on the excuse that state affairs were more important. Later, personally overseen by Premier Zhou Enlai, it was decided to have this old garden in the former prince’s mansion repaired and renovated and a new two-storied ancient-style building put up as the main building. Clear water now flows through it and there are rockeries, flowers, trees and green grass everywhere with buildings and pavillions among them. It is a quiet elegant residence. Soong Ching Ling moved here in 1963, worked, studied and lived here she died on May 29, 1981. In October the same year, the place was named “Former Residence of Comrade Soong Ching Ling, Honorary Chairman of the People’s Republic of China” and listed a major historical and cultural site under state protection. It has been opened to public since May 29, the following year.

This residence is quite well preserved. It was how I wanted to see when saying I was going to a residence of someone because you can really see the person’s own belongings, the rooms..etc. as when he/she was really living. It is a very good example if you intend to see such thing and you’ll really see it here because most of the times when I visited former residence of someone, I couldn’t really imagine his time. But here, I felt like I walked into the time Mme. Soong Ching Ling was really living. I could see how much this nation mourned for her death because in her residence, all the watch stopped at 8:18 pm which was the time she passed away.

How to get there: Subway line 5 to Beixinqiao and then take bus no. 107 to Beihai Beimen and then walk from Srishahai Lake, Houhai is within the same area. You need around 1500-2000 m. walk from the bus stop. However, the view around the lake is great. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the stroll.

Entrance fee: 20 RMB

Mme. Soong Ching Ling, Mother of the Nation

When I entered this residence of hers, I couldn’t recall much information about her. I only knew she was someone highly respected by Chinese but when I took a walk through the exhibition hall of Mme. Soong Ching Ling and what she had done her whole life, my heart pounded. I was so amazed by this generous Chinese lady who lived and died even before I was born. I was really impressed by her achievement.

Mme. Soong Ching Ling’s Biography

Soong Ching Ling (宋庆龄)  (27 January 1893 – 29 May 1981), also known as Madame Sun Yat-sen, was one of the three Soong sisters—who, along with their husbands, were amongst China’s most significant political figures of the early 20th century. She was the Vice Chairman of the People’s Republic of China. She was the first non-royal woman to officially become head of state of China, acting as Co-Chairman of the Republic from 1968 until 1972. She again became head of state in 1981, briefly before her death, as the Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China. Soong is sometimes regarded as Asia’s first female non-monarchial head of state, although her title of Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China was purely ceremonial.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soong_Ching-ling

I was impressed by how much she had achieved during her whole life. She married to a man who was a lot older than her which she explained it was more of that she wanted to help him to carry on the nation’s important duty. She had done a lot in helping Sun Yat-Sen with state affairs. I was so impressed to see many photo of her beside him visiting a lot of places… working together which, I have to see we can rarely see this sort of couple duty in Asain culture even until now. However, at that time it seemed like Mme.Sun Yat-Sen wouldn’t just be following him but she was as well helping him as his wise wife and capable assistant (she was educated in USA and had writen many books together with a lot of social work in order to the future of this country).

This role of her during that old time was so impressive to me. She was a hand-on supporter to Mr. Sun Yat-Sen. Although they could only spend couple life as short as 10 years (there would be photo of her being so thin while taking care of Mr.Sun Yat-Sen when he was really sick), she carried on the tasks and devoted herself to this country so much it required a lot of energy and passion for a lady like her to do this. She was admired by a lot of nations’ leaders and one people’s heart as she was called “Mother of the Nation”. Her woman role at that time was really amazing.

Mme. Soon Ching Ling and her two sisters, Soong Mei Ling & Soong Ai Ling

 

Her most favourite animal, doves, showed her sign of peace.

 

        Mme.Soong Ching Ling, although didn’t have children for herself, really loved children and had devoted her passion to improve their well-bing.