Visit the former residence (beautiful courtyard houses and garden) of Madame Soong Chinag-ling, wife of Republic of china founder Sun Yat-Sen and dubbed the Mother of the Nation. Madame Soong is also the elder sister of Soong Mei-Ling, wife of Chiang Kai-Shek, President of KMT Party.

Situated at 46 North Rive Street in the Houhai Lake area of the Xicheng District, the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling was once a garden of one of the Qing Dynasty princes' mansions. The area along the banks of Houhai Lake is quiet and beautiful, with shady willow trees lining the streets. Water from Houhai 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 rocks and ponds set off by pines, cypresses and flowers. Winding corridors link traditional-style halls and pavilions in the garden. The tasteful layout gives the garden an atmosphere of elegant antiquity.

Originally, the grounds of the mansion contained numerous buildings: the front hall, named Happiness on the Hao River Bridge, after a story from Zhuang Zi; the Pavilion for Listening to the Orioles; and the eastern hall, called the Hall for Gazing at Flowers. Linked to the South Building by a winding corridor was the Waves of Kindness Pavilion. Exquisite large rockeries are dotted with structures such as the Fan Pavilion and the Room for Listening to the Rain. Ponds, fine rocks, shady trees, flowers and lawns all add to the enchantment of the garden. But over the years the whole garden fell into disrepair.

Admission: 20 RMB

Opening Hours: Peak Season: 9:00-17:00 (April 1 to October 31)

Off-season: 9:00- 16:00 (November 1 to March 30)

Tel: +86 10 64044205

Best Time to Visit: April to October

Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 Hours

Address: No. 46 north side of Houhai, Xicheng District, Beijing