Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling in Shanghai

Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling in Shanghai

The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling is a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction, a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and a Patriotic Education Base.

The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling is located at No. 1843 Huaihai Middle Road. It is a small Western-style house with red tiles and white walls. Originally a private villa owned by a German, this building served as Soong Ching Ling’s workplace and home for 15 years, from 1948 to 1963. The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, the Soong Ching Ling Memorial Hall in Shanghai is a National Second-Class Museum, and it is also a Shanghai Patriotic Education Base.

Soong Ching Ling's Former Residence

The residence covers an area of over 4,300 square meters, consisting of a front garden, the main building, and a back garden. The main structure is a milky-white, ship-shaped pseudo-three-story Western-style building with a floor area of 700 square meters. The main building is a brick-and-wood pseudo-three-story Western-style structure built in the early 1920s. The ground floor includes a living room, dining room, and study, while the second floor houses Soong Ching Ling’s bedroom, office, and the bedroom of her maid, Li Yane. In front of the building lies a spacious lawn, and behind it is a lush garden surrounded by evergreen camphor trees, creating a tranquil and beautiful environment.

The Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling is the place where she lived the longest in her life and where she carried out many of her state affairs. It has witnessed numerous historical moments and houses a large collection of cultural relics. In 1949, it was here that Soong Ching Ling joyfully accepted the invitation from the Chinese Communist Party to go north to attend the founding ceremony of the People’s Republic of China and the first session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. She was elected Vice Chairperson of the Central People’s Government and participated in formulating the nation’s major policies. She frequently hosted various state affairs events at the residence, meeting and hosting distinguished guests from around the world to promote international relations and safeguard world peace. The initiatives she founded for the welfare of women and children in New China, as well as foreign propaganda publications, were conceived and planned here. She also met with many party and state leaders here, including Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Zhu De, and Chen Yi.

Starting in 1963, Soong Ching Ling moved to Beijing, only returning to her Shanghai residence during holidays and festivals. On December 31, 1978, she returned to spend the Spring Festival here and stayed until the end of February, a period of three months—this was her last visit to Shanghai. Soong Ching Ling passed away in Beijing on May 29, 1981. Her Shanghai residence was opened to the public as her former home for future generations to pay their respects. In October 1981, it was designated as a Shanghai Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. In 2001, with the approval of the State Council, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and remains a Shanghai Patriotic Education Base.

Address: No. 1843 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District

Tel: 021-64376268

Transportation: Bus routes 44, 48, 72, 113, 126, 138, 506, 548, 911, 920, 923, 926, 945, 946, and Tourist Line 7.

Recommended visiting time: 1 hour

Admission: 20 RMB

Opening hours: 09:00–16:30

Soong Ching Ling (1893–1981), Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China. A modern female revolutionary and one of the founders of the People’s Republic of China. She was originally from Gulu Garden Village, Changsa Town. Born in Shanghai on January 27, 1893, she attended McTyeire School for Girls in Shanghai during her early years. In 1908, she went to study at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, USA, affiliated with the Methodist Church. She graduated in 1913 with a bachelor’s degree. Upon returning to China the same year, she began her revolutionary career as Sun Yat-sen’s secretary.

On October 25, 1915, Soong Ching Ling married Sun Yat-sen... More details about Soong Ching Ling++

Further reading:

· China National Second-Class Museum

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units