This 2.3-kilometer route includes three scenic streets: Qianhai Beiyan, Liuyin Jie (St), and the Houhai Beiyan branch road. Along the way, visitors can explore notable landmarks such as Huixian Hall, Liuyin Pavilion, Yuan Mantun Martyr Memorial Monument, Prince Chun Mansion, Prince Regent Mansion, and Soong Ching-ling's Former Residence. While walking this route, you can immerse yourself in the historical imprints of these sites and appreciate the rich, diverse culture of old Beijing.

Key Attractions: Huixian Hall, Liuyin Pavilion, Yuan Mantun Martyr Memorial Monument, Prince Chun Mansion, Prince Regent Mansion, and Soong Ching-ling's Former Residence.

Former Residence Of Soong Ching Ling

Soong Ching-ling, Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, was a globally renowned patriot, democrat, internationalist, and communist. She was a great warrior of the 20th century, the wife of Sun Yat-sen, and a "national treasure".

Soong Ching-ling was born on January 27, 1893, in Shanghai. In 1907, she went to the United States to study and enrolled in Wesleyan College in 1908, graduating in 1913. In 1915, she married Sun Yat-sen, the renowned Chinese national hero and pioneer of the democratic revolution, in Japan and joined him on the revolutionary path to save the nation. After Sun Yat-sen passed away in Beijing in 1925, Soong Ching-ling upheld and defended his New Three Principles of the People. She actively rallied the people to safeguard civil rights, pursue democracy, and resist foreign aggression. She was later elected Honorary President of the Second Anti-Imperialist League and became a leading figure in the World Anti-Fascist Committee. In 1938, to promote national unity in the fight against Japanese aggression and support the global anti-fascist movement, she initiated the "China Defense League" in Hong Kong, focusing on wartime propaganda and relief efforts. Her work garnered widespread support from people around the world and overseas Chinese communities. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Soong Ching-ling was elected Vice Chair of the Central People's Government. She was re-elected as Vice President of the People's Republic of China in 1959 and 1965. Throughout her life, she was committed to China's revolution, development, and reform, standing firmly with the Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities, who deeply admired her. As a national leader, Soong Ching-ling visited many countries, contributing significantly to strengthening China's international relations. In her long career in international affairs, she worked tirelessly to oppose wars of aggression, defend world peace, promote progressive culture, and fight for social progress and human happiness. Her efforts to foster mutual understanding and friendly exchanges among the world's peoples earned her widespread respect. Soong Ching-ling had a special devotion to the health and well-being of children and was lovingly regarded as the "grandmother" of all Chinese children. She left behind an enduring legacy for the country and its people, and her noble character and spirit will be remembered forever by the Chinese people and progressive individuals worldwide.

Soong Ching-ling's residence, located at No. 46 Houhai Beiyan, was originally the garden of the mansion belonging to Zaifeng, Prince Chun, the father of the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin-Gioro Puyi. This garden, along with the buildings to its east, was part of the Prince Chun Mansion, later referred to as the Regent's Mansion. The property has a long history, having been built as the residence of Mingzhu during the Kangxi period, becoming Heshen's villa during the Qianlong period, converted into the Prince Cheng Mansion during the Jiaqing period, and finally renamed the Prince Chun Mansion in the 14th year of the Guangxu period. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Party and government planned to build a residence for Soong Ching-ling in Beijing. However, Soong, always placing national affairs above her personal needs, repeatedly declined the offer. Later, under the personal direction of Premier Zhou Enlai, it was decided to restore and renovate the garden of the Prince Chun Mansion and construct a new two-story traditional-style main building. The garden features winding waters, rugged rock formations, abundant flowers, trees, and lush grass, with pavilions and halls artfully integrated into the landscape, forming a tranquil and elegant setting. Soong Ching-ling moved into this residence in April 1963 and lived, worked, and studied here until her death on May 29, 1981. In October of that year, the residence was officially named the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling, Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, and it was opened to the public on May 29, 1982.

The former residence was originally one of the four great princely gardens of the Qing Dynasty. The courtyard was surrounded by earthen mounds on the south, west, and north sides, with a stream of water drawn from Houhai flowing around the garden. Among the water features, the South Lake was the largest. The garden once contained a group of Qing Dynasty buildings, including Haolianglequ and Changjinzhai which have now been restored to their original state as they were during Soong Ching-ling's lifetime (the grand living room and dining hall). To the west of the ancient buildings stands Soong Ching-ling's two-story residence, designed in a blend of Chinese and Western styles (constructed later). This building, called the Main Building, served as both her home and office, where she also hosted guests. The building contains original furnishings and exhibits. Between the building complex and South Lake lies a lawn, featuring a flagpole flying the No. 2 national flag.

On the southern shore of South Lake, there is a two-story Ming Dynasty structure known as Nanlou (South Building). To the east of the southern hill is Xieting Pavilion, and to the west is the Tingyuwu (House of Listening to the Rain). The garden contains 23 ancient trees under special protection, including a Kaido crab apple tree, listed as one of Beijing's "Top Ten Most Beautiful Trees". A winding corridor, connecting the Nanlou and the northern part of the building complex, runs through the garden, and includes the Enbo Pavilion (formerly known as Lushui Pavilion during the Nalan period). The courtyard's Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, featuring brick and wood construction, pavilions, and halls, cover an area of over 2,000 square meters in typical princely mansion style. Modern structures, built with steel and concrete, include a two-story grey building added to the west of the original main structure. This served as Soong Ching-ling's workspace and residence, covering an area of more than 2,100 square meters. The new artifact storage building, built against the west wall, houses the Soong Ching-ling Life Exhibition on its first floor and was completed in 2009.

Former residence of Soong Ching-ling has been designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council. The residence preserves the original setup, showcasing the vibrant scenes of Soong Ching-ling's life, where she worked, studied, read, met with visitors, held discussions, hosted banquets, rested, entertained, fed pigeons, and enjoyed flowers. The site also features an exhibition on Soong Ching-ling's life and legacy, making it an important venue for tours, visits, events, and meetings. It has been designated as a National Youth Education Base, a National Research and Practice Education Base for Primary and Secondary School Students, a National Red Tourism Classic Scenic Spot, a Central State Organs Ideological Education Base, a Clean Government Education Base in Beijing, and a Beijing Patriotic Education Demonstration Base.

Since its opening to the public in 1982, Soong Ching-ling's former residence has welcomed more than 200,000 visitors annually from both China and abroad, and has hosted over 100 domestic and international exchange events. It is becoming a treasure trove for the preservation of artifacts related to Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching-ling, an authoritative institution for the study of Soong Ching-ling's life and her great ideas, a stronghold for promoting her spirit, and an important platform for fostering cultural exchange between China and the world.

Huixian Hall 

The old site of Huixian Hall is located at No. 19, Qianhai Beiyan, Shichahai, Xicheng District. It is one of the Eight Great Halls of Beijing and was originally the private residence of Binru, a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. The site covers nearly 3,000 square meters, with a building area of approximately 1,800 square meters. The front part was reconstructed into a multi-story building. The original site had over 100 rooms, including an opera stage, tile-roofed houses, and flat-roofed houses. The second-floor balcony offered a view of Shichahai. A copper plaque with the inscription "Huixiantang Fanzhuang (Huixian Hall Restaurant)" hung on the horse-head wall of the main gate, and the door nails bore the words "Qunxian Bizhi (A Gathering of Worthies)". It was a meeting place for literati and also a venue for hall performances. Later, the site ceased operations and was purchased by Fu Jen Catholic University.

Prince Chun Mansion 

Originally, it was the residence of Mingzhu, a grand scholar during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. During the Qianlong reign, it was transformed into the residence of Prince Cheng. In the 14th year of the Guangxu period (1888), the mansion was moved here and became known as the Bei Fu (Northern Residence) to distinguish it from the old mansion. Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty was born here. After Puyi ascended the throne, his father Zaifeng was titled Prince Regent, and thus the mansion was also known as the Regent's Mansion. The mansion is oriented from north to south, with the residence in the eastern part and the garden in the western part. The garden was later rebuilt as the residence of Soong Ching-ling. The main buildings of the residence include Yinan Dian (Silver Peace Hall), Baohan Tang (Hall of Treasured Writings), Jiusi Tang (Hall of Nine Thoughts), and Siqian Tang (Hall of Humble Reflection). It is currently used by institutions such as the State Administration for Religious Affairs.