Beijing Bucket List: Residence of Honorary Chairwoman of the PRC

For someone who has lived in Beijing for over five years, my knowledge of contemporary Chinese history is woefully lacking. Thus, it was with but a passing familiarity with the name "Song Qingling" that I visited the former residence of one of the most powerful women in Chinese history a few weekends ago.

Side view of the former residence

Located near the northwest tip of Shichahai, this grand old mansion served as the final abode of Song Qingling (1893-1981), the second wife of Republican leader Sun Zhongshan (Sun Yat-sen) and the second of the three famous Song sisters.

A note on spelling: Song Qingling's name often appears as "Soong Ching-ling" in English media after the Wade-Giles romanization that was common at the time, but for consistency's sake I'll be sticking to pinyin and including alternative names in parentheses.

The section with the red columns served as a formal function room for visiting dignitaries

By all accounts, Song Qingling led a singular and tumultuous life. She was the second of six children born to Song Jiashu (Charlie Soong), a US-educated businessman and missionary, and Ni Guizhen (Ni Kwei-tseng), a member of a religious Chinese family that counted a prominent Ming Dynasty mathematician among its ancestors.

Former Residence of Soong Ching-Ling 宋庆龄故居
RMB 20. Daily 9.30am-5.30pm. 46 North Shore of Houhai Lake, Xicheng District (6404 4205)
西城区后海北沿西端46号

Click "Read more" for the rest of this story. This article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

On another note, the Burger Festival is schedued on May 28 (Saturday). Make sure you block your calendars early to be able to get in on the burger action!