Yutai Salt Shop (Qinglu House)

Yutai Salt Shop (Qinglu House)

Yutai Salt Shop is the birthplace of Chiang Kai-shek. According to the Jiang Family Genealogy, on the 15th day of the ninth lunar month in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (1887), Chiang Kai-shek was born on the upper floor of Yutai Salt Shop.

Yutai Salt Shop was established by Chiang Kai-shek's grandfather, Jiang Siqian, in 1871, and later inherited by his father, Jiang Zhaocong. After Jiang Zhaocong’s death, the family divided the inheritance, and the salt shop came under the management of Chiang Kai-shek’s elder brother, Jiang Jieqing. In 1919, Jiang Jieqing left to seek opportunities elsewhere, and the salt shop closed. Currently, there are three rooms on the upper floor, three rooms on the ground floor, as well as auxiliary structures such as a kitchen and toilet.

In October 1862, after the Taiping Army withdrew from Fenghua, Chiang Kai-shek’s father had already come of age. He took over the family business, reopened the salt shop, and business flourished even more. A few years later, the capital reached several thousand silver dollars. The shop employed around six or seven people including a manager (referred to today as the manager), an accountant, clerks, and apprentices, while workshop workers varied depending on production needs—sometimes more, sometimes less—handling miscellaneous tasks such as rice hulling, brewing, and transportation. It became one of the major businesses in Xikou Town.

After Chiang Kai-shek was born, the salt shop caught fire twice and was once damaged by termites. The existing building was reconstructed by Chiang Kai-shek in 1948. The entrance gate has a stone frame, with the plaque reading “Qinglu” above the door. On the west side of the gate, the boundary wall is inscribed with six large characters written by Chiang Kai-shek himself: “Original Site of Yutai Salt Shop.”

Jiang Siqian, also known as Yu Biao, was born on the 20th day of the eleventh lunar month in the 19th year of the Jiaqing reign (1814), and passed away on the 20th day of the tenth lunar month in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (1894). He was the 26th-generation descendant of the Jiang family in Xikou. In describing this grandfather, Chiang Kai-shek wrote: “Since our ancestor Shi Jie moved to Jinxi (the ancient name of Xikou), generations of our family have diligently worked the land, revered courtesy and yielding. Throughout the three hundred years of the Qing dynasty, not a single one sought official rank through the imperial examinations. But he built the family fortune through trade, and our livelihood gradually became more prosperous.”

Siqian abandoned farming for business, which changed the social status and economic conditions of the Jiang family, and laid the foundation for Chiang Kai-shek’s future studies and his journey to Japan. Siqian had a profound influence on young Chiang Kai-shek, giving meticulous care in everything from naming him at birth, to his daily life and diet, to enrolling him in school.

Address: Mid-section of Wuling Road, Xikou Town, Fenghua District, Ningbo City

Type: Historical site / historic building

Recommended visiting time: 0.5–1 hour

Phone: 4001817718

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Jiang Family Hometown Scenic Area ticket (120 RMB); also included in the Xikou Scenic Area combination ticket, which is 230 RMB (includes transport within Xuedou Mountain Scenic Area), or 280 RMB (includes transport within Xuedou Mountain, sightseeing train, and cable car). Scenic area tickets are valid for one day, while combination tickets are valid for two days.

Chiang Kai-shek (October 31, 1887 – April 5, 1975), given name Zhongzheng, courtesy name Jieshi. Childhood name: Ruìyuán, genealogy name: Zhōutài, school name: Zhìqīng. Originally from Yixing, Jiangsu, born in Fenghua, Zhejiang. He was a prominent political and military figure in modern China, holding positions such as President of the Whampoa Military Academy, Commander-in-Chief of the National Revolutionary Army, Chairman of the National Government, President of the Executive Yuan, Chairman of the Military Affairs Commission of the National Government, Generalissimo of the Republic of China, Director-General of the Kuomintang, Commander of the - Youth Corps, Supreme Commander of the China Theater of the Allied Forces in World War II, and President of the Republic of China.

Chiang Zhong... Detailed information about Chiang Kai-shek ++

Jiang Siqian, also known as Yu Biao, was born on the 20th day of the eleventh lunar month in the 19th year of the Jiaqing reign (1814), and passed away on the 20th day of the tenth lunar month in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (1894). He was the 26th-generation descendant of the Jiang family in Xikou. In describing this grandfather, Chiang Kai-shek wrote: “Since our ancestor Shi Jie moved to Jinxi (the ancient name of Xikou), generations of our family have diligently worked the land, revered courtesy and yielding. Throughout the three hundred years of the Qing dynasty, not a single one sought official rank through the imperial examinations. But he built the family fortune through trade, and our livelihood gradually became more prosperous.” Siqian abandoned farming for business, which changed the social status and economic conditions of the Jiang family, and laid the foundation for Chiang Kai-shek’s future studies and his journey to Japan. Siqian... Detailed information about Jiang Siqian ++

Jiang Zhaocong (1842–1895), courtesy name Suan, childhood name Minghuo. He was Chiang Kai-shek’s father and the grandfather of Chiang Ching-kuo. One of the ten wealthiest families in Xikou Town, he was the father of Chiang Kai-shek, born in 1887 (the 13th year of the Guangxu reign).

Jiang Zhaocong was shrewd and capable. In his early twenties, he took over Yutai Salt Shop from Jiang Siqian, and also managed a money house. The shop had around six or seven employees, including a manager, accountant, clerks, and craftsmen, and hired temporary workers when necessary. Due to effective management, the business prospered rapidly, making it one of the ten wealthiest families in Xikou Town.

Jiang Zhaocong was a prominent figure in Xikou... Detailed information about Jiang Zhaocong ++