Rewi Alley’s China > Beijing > Shanghai > Hubei province > Shaanxi province > Gansu province > Shandan > Lanzhou >
Location of Soong Ching-ling Former Residence 宋庆龄同志故居: Hou Hai Bei Yan 46, Northeast shore of Hou Hai, Xi Cheng Qu, Beijing
Google Earth view of location:
GPS co-ordinates: N39 56.596 E116 22.631
Cost: 20 Yuan to enter the complex
Access: Centrally located in Beijing, at the northern corner of HouHai lake. Take the #5 bus to Guozishi stop. Also buses #635, 44, 345 pass close by [see image at end of this article].
Website: www.sql.org.cn [in Chinese]
Soong Ching-ling or Song Qingling* was the second wife of Sun Yat-sen, one of the leaders of the 1911 revolution that established the Republic of China, and was often referred to as Madame Sun Yat-sen. As the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress from 1976 to 1978, Soong was the head of state of the People’s Republic of China. During her final illness in May 1981, she was given the special title of Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China. (Source: Wikipedia)
Soong Ching-ling’s mansion 宋庆龄同志故居 is located on Hou Hai (back lake) in Beijing, not far from the drum Tower; she lived here from 1963 until she passed away on 29 May 1981. In the descriptions of Soong Ching-ling’s life there are several photos of Rewi Alley and GongHe (Gung Ho) activities.
There are also photos of other New Zealanders – James Bertram (Journalist), see above, and Isabel Easton (Nurse).
Photos are found in the main Exhibit area, and also in the display of the rooms of her home.
*Transliteration of her name into English varies: the spelling of Soong Ching-ling (Wade Giles) is the one used officially at this site. Song Qingling is the pinyin version
Rewi Alley’s China > Beijing > Shanghai > Hubei province > Shaanxi province > Gansu province > Shandan > Lanzhou >
This article is based on a report by Jane Furkert of her work: ‘An Independent Travellers’ Guide to Rewi Alley Locations in China, 2016’, that was funded by the Rewi Alley Friendship and Exchange (RAFE) Fund.