Soong Ch'ing-ling (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 President of China. Her virtues and personal charms have being always admired by Chinese people as well as foreigners.
The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling is situated at 46 North Rive Street in the Rear Lake area of the West City District. The residence was once a garden of one of the Qing Dynasty princes' mansions. The area along the banks of Rear Lake is quiet and beautiful, with shady willow trees lining the streets. Water from Rear Lake has been diverted through an underground channel into a stream that winds its way through the garden.
This lovely Beijing garden is elegantly laid out with rockeries and ponds set off by pines, cypresses and flowers. Winding corridors links traditional-style halls and pavilions in the garden. The tasteful layout gives the garden an atmosphere of elegant antiquity.
After the founding of New China in 1949, the Party and government made plans to build a residence for Soong Ching Ling in Beijing, and decided to renovate one of the princes' gardens for the purpose. New buildings were constructed to the west of the mansion's main hall to create a quiet secluded courtyard as it stands today. Soong Ching Ling moved into the mansion in 1963 and worked, studied and lived here until she passed away on May 29, 1981.
Admission fee: 20 RMB /person
Opening hours: 9:00-16:00