Live Your Best Lives
It was originally the residence of the Chairman of the National Government. Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling often lived here, so it was called the Mei-ling Palace. It is one of the most spectacular and elegant buildings in Nanjing.
The main building is a three-story, double-eaved mountain-style palace with a green glazed tile roof. It looks magnificent on the outside and luxurious on the inside. It is surrounded by lush trees and fragrant flowers all year round.
The interior furnishings are now arranged as they were. To the east is the bedroom of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling, and on the ground floor is an exhibition of Mei-ling’s paintings.
There is a "First Lady Cafe" on the second floor. After learning about history, you can sit here and feel the mood of the past.
Attractions Location: No. 9 Zhongshan Scenic Area, Zhongshan Mausoleum, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province (South side)
Tickets:
Adult ticket 30 RMB/discount ticket (children/students) 15 RMB/senior ticket 15 RMB
Half-price ticket: Full-time university, primary and secondary school students, people aged 60 to 69 with valid ID
Free tickets: Elderly people over 70 years old, children under 6 years old or under 1.4 meters tall, retired cadres, active servicemen of the People's Republic of China, retired cadres of the army, disabled revolutionary soldiers, disabled people, individuals who have won the National Free Blood Donation Award, Free Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation Award, Free Blood Donation Volunteer Service Lifetime Honorary Award in our province, and fire rescue personnel
Opening hours:
07:30-18:00 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st to December 31st)
Contact Details： 025-84431600; 025-84433582
Transportation:
Take bus No. 34 to Boaiyuan bus stop and walk about 284 meters to arrive
There is a free sightseeing train in the scenic area. Take sightseeing bus Line 1 to Meiling Palace (Ming Xiaoling Museum) station and walk about 130 meters to arrive.
Time reference: 1-3 hours
Spend a relaxing day visiting the beautiful Jiangsu Meiling Palace, a serene place rich in cultural history and natural scenery, perfect for a short getaway.
Accommodation/Food: Stay overnight near Confucius Temple area in Nanjing. Enjoy local Jiangsu cuisine like salted duck and Nanjing-style dumplings at nearby restaurants.
Souvenirs: At Meiling Palace, buy local handicrafts, traditional Chinese fans, and calligraphy scrolls.
This two-day trip combines the tranquility of Meiling Palace with cultural and historical sites in Nanjing for a deeper Jiangsu experience.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in central Nanjing both nights. Try famous local dishes such as duck blood soup and steamed buns.
Souvenirs: Meiling Palace handicrafts, Nanjing salted duck, silk products near Confucius Temple.
This itinerary offers a blend of cultural exploration in Nanjing, nature and history at Meiling Palace, plus the classical gardens and water town charm of Suzhou.
Transportation: Taxi or public transit in Nanjing; high-speed train Nanjing-Suzhou.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Nanjing first two nights; optional stay in Suzhou last night. Enjoy Jiangsu cuisine and Suzhou-style sweet snacks.
Souvenirs: Meiling Palace crafts, Nanjing salted duck, Suzhou silk and embroidery.
This 4-day trip adds the famous water town Zhouzhuang to the rich cultural itinerary of Nanjing and Suzhou, for a full Jiangsu provincial experience.
Accommodation/Food: Stay nights in Nanjing and Suzhou. Sample Jiangsu river fish dishes and local freshwater delicacies in Zhouzhuang.
Souvenirs: Water town embroidery, traditional fans, Meiling Palace crafts.
Explore Jiangsu’s top destinations with historic Nanjing, scenic Suzhou, charming Zhouzhuang, and the poetic city of Yangzhou.
Transportation: Mix of taxis, buses, and high-speed trains.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Nanjing, Suzhou, and optionally Yangzhou. Try Yangzhou fried rice and Jiangsu freshwater fish dishes.
Souvenirs: Yangzhou lacquerware, Meiling Palace crafts, Suzhou silk, Zhouzhuang embroidery.
Extend your Jiangsu trip by adding Taizhou, known for its coastal scenery and ancient towns, for a rich cultural and natural experience.
Accommodation/Food: Mix of city hotels and local inns. Sample coastal seafood in Taizhou and Jiangsu specialties elsewhere.
Souvenirs: Taizhou seafood preserves, Meiling Palace crafts, Suzhou silk, Yangzhou lacquerware.
A full week to immerse in Jiangsu’s cultural heritage, water towns, mountains, and modern city life.
Accommodation/Food: Hotels in major cities, guesthouses in towns. Enjoy Jiangsu cuisine’s variety from freshwater fish to sweet desserts.
Souvenirs: Wuxi jade carvings, Meiling Palace crafts, Suzhou embroidery, Yangzhou lacquerware, Taizhou seafood products.
I went to see it in early June in midsummer. The French plane trees all over the city were planted for this woman who left a mark in history. The surroundings of Meiling Palace were naturally planted with plane trees that covered the sky. It's a pity that it seems more beautiful to go there in autumn. The buildings inside preserve the living furniture and supplies of Song Meiling and her husband Chiang Kai-shek during the Republic of China period. There are also many visitors. After the visit, it is also very comfortable to walk around Meiling Palace (especially for middle-aged women of the mother generation).
Meiling Palace is hidden in the hillside covered with French plane trees. Not far from the gate is a plum tree with small yellow flowers, which are particularly bright in the white snow. After walking up a small stone staircase, you will reach the door of the villa. The three-story Chinese-style house has a story at every step. My favorite is the small cinema on the second floor. The retro small screen and the 12-minute short film are enough to make me fall in love with this legendary woman of the Republic of China.
The Meiling Palace is a large-scale show of affection. The tall sycamore trees protect this exquisite mansion. Coupled with the ingenious design of the "necklace", Soong Mei-ling seems to be the kind of exquisite beauty that all girls envy, like a jewel in the palm of their hand.
The combination of Chinese and Western styles is unique. Although I am not very fond of this style combination, it is also very charming.
The various furniture and decorations inside reveal the refined life of the wealthy families at that time, and many things are still not outdated today.
It is recommended to wear cheongsam or Republic of China style clothing when visiting the Meiling Palace, which is very suitable for taking photos.
I personally recommend going to the Meiling Palace first, because it is not big and it only takes about 30 minutes to walk around. Turn left from the exit of the Meiling Palace and walk a few hundred meters to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Scenic Area, which takes a longer time to walk to. There are plane trees around the Meiling Palace. At this time, the leaves of the plane trees have all fallen, leaving only bare trunks, but you can still imagine the scene of plane trees blooming everywhere.
All the rooms inside have been restored to their original state, and even the furnishings were collected from the local area at that time, striving to show the scenes at that time intactly. After a hundred years, the objects still seem to have not changed much, which shows how refined they were at that time.
Before I went there, I always thought that with Song Meiling's many years of living in the United States, the official residence should be an American-style villa. I didn't expect it to be a traditional palace building with three eaves, carved railings and flying eaves. Song Meiling's family was a devout Christian. There was also a prayer room in the Meiling Palace for their Sunday worship. The master bedroom of the Chiang-Song couple was said to be decorated according to Comrade Meiling's preferences. At first glance, I just thought the bed was a bit small.
The couple's private dining area is exquisite and warm, and all of them use the Western-style tableware that Meiling likes. There is also the First Lady Cafe next to the banquet hall on the first floor. In fact, it is just a small area with a few stools.
Looking down from the air, the Meiling Palace is the diamond on the necklace, and the necklace is the sycamore trees that stretch all over the Purple Mountain.
The Far East's No. 1 villa is not in vain. Being in it, it really feels like going back to the Republic of China era, where life is bound by rules and regulations, and social classes and wealth are severely unequal. But just being alive is enough.
Tickets for Meiling Palace: 30 yuan
China-TravelNote Ticket Booking 27 Yuan
Reservation is required one day in advance
If you make a mistake, you need to make a decision on the same day.
Only original price can be purchased on the spot
No feeling for Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in Zhongshan
Target locked on Meiling Palace
Although the Meiling Palace is small in size,
But it's full of stories
Worth going to strongly recommend
Monday is great as there are fewer tourists
Maybe the team will still stop at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Before the visit, we went to Meiling Palace
The advantage of buying tickets on site is
Tickets for collection
Such a balance in mind
There are many greenways outside the Meiling Palace
A quick glance in a hurry
Red maple and yellow sycamore
Road after rain
Added some life
A paradise on earth
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city
Find a quiet place
Because I went to Taiwan in 2016, I was confused and listened to the tour guide talking about how beautiful the Meiling Palace was, and it was a manifestation of Chiang Kai-shek's "wife-loving maniac". I always thought that the Meiling Palace was in Taiwan (historical scum wiping tears...), but I only found out when I looked at the park guide map when I arrived at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. So I originally planned to go to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, but later gave up and changed to the Meiling Palace, in order to catch a glimpse of the "bright gem on the necklace". Also because my grandfather was once a member of the Kuomintang, I still have some expectations for these places.
From a distance, the Meiling Palace looks like a dazzling gem inlaid on green velvet. Designed by architect Zhao Zhiyou, this palace-style building was built in 1931 and completed in 1934. It was originally named "The Former Residence of the Chairman of the National Government". Later, because Chiang Kai-shek often took his wife Song Meiling here for vacation and rest, it was affectionately called "Meiling Palace".
The environment is super good. Driving on the road of Zhongshan Scenic Area is simply a kind of beautiful enjoyment. Stepping into the Meiling Palace, you can feel the deep love of the chairman for his wife, which reflects the ultimate pursuit of beauty everywhere.
When viewed from above, the Meiling Palace is like a gem inlaid in a necklace made of Chinese parasol trees. Whether the love story between Chiang Kai-shek and Song Meiling is really exaggerated or not, we don’t want to delve into it or destroy the beauty of the legend. After all, it is true that he planted Chinese parasol trees all over the city for her. We always fantasize about going there, so the Meiling Palace has become a must-see attraction for us. The Meiling Palace is located in the Zhongshan Mausoleum scenic area. We only have one afternoon to visit Zhongshan Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum together, which is definitely not enough time. Without saying a word, we chose to go straight to this large-scale show of affection: the exquisite mansion with the reputation of "the first villa in the Far East".
Walking under the phoenix tree, the sunlight was cut into pieces and passed through the gaps between the leaves and lay on the road. This slowly flowing love is still very profound.
Personally, I think that the Meiling Palace is the most worth-seeing attraction in the Zhongshan Scenic Area, bar none. The exterior of the house is very beautiful, and the furnishings inside recreate that period of time, and are very exquisite. It can be seen how much Chiang Kai-shek and the First Lady enjoyed life back then.
Although the Meiling Palace is not big, it is worth a visit. Chiang Kai-shek mostly worked here. The living environment of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling at that time is completely preserved. Looking down at the Meiling Palace is like a gem. It can be seen that Chiang Kai-shek took great pains to please the beauty!
It's OK. What's more beautiful than the Meiling Palace is the surrounding sycamore trees.
Meiling Palace is not big, but it is exquisite. The whole building is full of daily life scenes of eating, drinking, defecating and urinating, without any extra burden. In a word: down-to-earth.
This is a villa built by Chiang Kai-shek for Soong Mei-ling. It is also the only villa area in the Purple Mountain Scenic Area. It shows the luxury at that time.
It's definitely worth going, but don't go during holidays, as the route is very chaotic when there are too many people. In several places, I found that I had to go the other way. . . .
The man is gone, and only the former mansion can vaguely reflect its former charm.
The luxurious two-story building has many models on display, giving people a more intuitive feeling
When you come to Nanjing, you must go and see this diamond inlaid on the phoenix tree necklace💎
It's a very simple building, and it feels like an ordinary hotel.
We took the electric car to the Meiling Palace. Along the way, there were neatly lined plane trees. Although the leaves had fallen, they were still very beautiful.
The furnishings are basically the same as they were back then. The gramophone on the table attracted me, but it was a pity that I couldn't get close to take a closer look.
There were so many people that I was worried that the building would collapse. The weather was cold and I wanted to stay indoors. The scenery was average in winter. If you don't buy a combined ticket, I don't recommend coming here.
I haven't entered this attraction yet, but I've passed by the entrance several times.
Meiling Palace was the residence of Chiang and Song. What is fascinating is that the building and the surrounding trees look like a necklace from a God's perspective, and Meiling Palace is the gorgeous pendant of this necklace. Unfortunately, this can only be seen in photos. Feel Mr. Chiang's love for his wife. In fact, the plane trees in this city can already explain the problem~ The one who lived in the palace was of course the emperor... Later, was it not called the palace and the mansion~
It's drizzling, love is probably floating in the air among these phoenix trees
After exiting the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Gate No. 5 and visiting the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Museum, it is not far from the Meiling Palace. I bought the ticket online and can enter by swiping my ID card. Although the Meiling Palace is not big, it is highly recommended. It really has everything you need. I think Soong Meiling and Chiang Kai-shek know how to live. There are also electronic guides for rent at the door, which can be purchased if needed.
The Meiling Palace is very beautiful, integrating the beauty of Chinese and Western architecture. It is like a beautiful gem inlaid in the pendant of a French plane tree necklace. The old appearance of the past is reproduced in the Meiling Palace, and being in it makes people feel like traveling back to the Republic of China.
Overall, it is the same as the Shilin Residence in Taipei, except that you can take photos here, but not in Taipei. If you have time, you can take a good look at the introduction inside. The three major families of that era, whether it was political marriage or great love, lived in such a war-torn era and had extraordinary lives. They can all be called heroes of their generation.
November 28, 2018 Visiting Meiling Palace was perfect, except for the heavy haze
It's so beautiful! This is so romantic!
It was the first time I saw such a large villa, and I saw pictures and paintings of Song Meiling's life. The functions here are complete and the furnishings are simple.
My curiosity about the Meiling Palace came from the rumor on the Internet that it was the "most beautiful necklace". The French plane trees all over the mountains surrounded the Meiling Palace in the shape of water drops. Looking down from the sky, it looked like a natural gemstone necklace. Although this romance surrounded by plane trees was not intentional, it has become the most beautiful misunderstanding in Nanjing. But the story of the Meiling Palace is far more than that. This Chinese-style castle in the mountains contains too many memories of the Chiang couple. I learned a lot of interesting anecdotes about the Chiang couple and appreciated Song Meiling more. Even I, a rough man who has no interest in the history of the Republic of China, still remember it clearly.
The villa where Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling once lived is a 3.5-story building that combines Chinese and Western styles, is elegant and warm, and is truly enviable.
Also on display are paintings by Soong Mei-ling, a talented woman with high artistic attainments.
Because Soong Mei-ling loved plane trees, Chiang Kai-shek ordered his men to plant plane trees in a pendant shape near the Mei-ling Palace, and the Mei-ling Palace was the center of the pendant.
It seems that Chiang Kai-shek is simply a real-life overbearing president. It is said that all the plane trees in Nanjing are related to him. Soong Mei-ling liked plane trees, so the whole city was planted with plane trees for her.
If you look down from the air, the plane trees are like a necklace on the Purple Mountain, and the Meiling Palace is the diamond on the necklace. Visiting the Meiling Palace is very rewarding. Not only did you appreciate the charm of the "No. 1 Villa in the Far East", but you also learned about Soong Mei-ling's life at that time. Unlike the textual description in books, visiting the Meiling Palace can be more intuitive, more profound, and even more personal.
The Meiling Palace on the hillside is like the softest habitat among gunfire and artillery, with a gentle beauty. You can watch the documentary and art exhibition of Song Meiling to feel her lifelong friendship with Chiang Kai-shek. If you succeed, I will accompany you to see the world; if you fail, I will accompany you to make the world my home, just because of love, nothing else. We are impressed by the grandeur of various scenic spots, but here we can feel the tranquility of the sycamore trees. It may not be as beautiful as the plank road, and the road may be a little boring, but this kind of romance seems to be unmatched.
There are four floors here, including a banquet hall, art exhibition, office, living room, and even a chapel. I found out that Soong Mei-ling was a Christian. My aunt and mother also kept sighing that the architectural style of that era was almost the same as modern ones.
On the basement floor of the Meiling Palace is an exhibition of Song Meiling's paintings, as well as the guards' living room and kitchen. What impressed me most was the large exhaust pipe. I forgot whether it was on the second or third floor. There was a room that seemed to be a message room, and there was simulated voice inside, which was quite interesting.
On the second floor, there is a brief introduction to Song Meiling's life, and there is also a small cinema. The furnishings in the Meiling Palace are connected to the Presidential Palace. The Presidential Palace is much larger, so the Meiling Palace is small and beautiful in comparison, with a more delicate and feminine feel. After all, it was built for Song Meiling. The Presidential Palace is actually quite beautiful, with the light elegance of a garden and the solemnity with a strong political atmosphere.
If time is tight, you can see more at the Presidential Palace than at the Meiling Palace. There is a Pioneer Bookstore here, and the books on display are related to Soong Mei-ling and Chiang Kai-shek.
Today, the Meiling Palace still retains its original appearance, with study rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens placed in every corner as if time has stood still. On the second floor, the Meiling Palace branch of the Pioneer Bookstore has also settled down. The fragrance of books accompanies the fragrance of osmanthus in September, lingering.
Recommended playing time: 45 minutes
I was recommended by Weibo for a long time, the most beautiful necklace. But when I went there, I found that there was only one building displaying the daily life of the previous owner. There was no garden to visit as I imagined... The calligraphy and paintings of Ms. Soong Mei-ling are so beautiful!
The sofas, office chairs, ceiling fans, and heating fireplaces are all original to the official residence. The office equipment is cultural relics collected from the Republic of China, recreating the scene of Chiang Kai-shek handling military and political affairs at that time.
The furniture and sofa in the second bedroom are all original to the official residence. There is a spacious balcony on the east side, where you can see the rising sun and enjoy the first ray of sunshine every day. All the furniture is finely crafted and beautifully designed. There is also a recliner in the bathroom. The equipment inside is made of white materials imported from the UK, which sets off the noble temperament of the owner. Soong Mei-ling also took a milk bath here. It is really poverty that limits my imagination. The place where they dine is a candlelight dinner with only two seats. There is a small elevator, and the food is delivered directly from the kitchen on the first floor. The villa is a gift from Chiang Kai-shek to Soong Mei-ling. Surrounded by sycamore trees, the Mei-ling Palace is like an emerald inlaid in a sycamore necklace. It is better to say that the sycamore trees in the entire city of Nanjing are Chiang Kai-shek's unique way of expressing romance.
It is recommended to visit for 1 hour. Meiling Palace and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum are connected. If you have enough time, you will usually visit both and buy a combined ticket. We only went to Meiling Palace because we didn't have enough time. It's a pity that we went there in winter, so there were no golden sycamore trees, but the environment was quiet, comfortable and pleasant. The decoration and settings of the year were restored in Meiling Palace, which were luxurious, complete and elegant. Every part of the mansion revealed his love for her in those days. It would be nice to live in such an environment if it weren't for the troubled times.
It is a combination of Chinese and Western styles, and it is worth a visit. It is really exquisite from the inside out. There are many paintings of the lady on display, and you can also learn about the life stories of the characters, which is very good~ Ding~~
The residence of Song Meiling, a symbol of love. It is located next to Zhongshan Scenic Area and is also included in the package.
The ticket to Meiling Palace is not expensive. And it is not very crowded to visit inside. You can see the villa where Song Meiling lived. Everything inside is kept inside for people to visit. There is also a historical record of her and Chiang Kai-shek. There is a short film inside that you can watch. But there are many people. There are also historical records.
This is where Song Meiling lived. I personally like it very much. It is not very big. It only takes half an hour to walk around. It is a villa. The underground floor is where the servants live, the boiler, the kitchen, and the water room. The third floor is Song Meiling's bedroom, prayer hall, dining room, and study.
The beauty of the Meiling Palace comes not only from the official residence in the style of the Republic of China, but also from the surrounding green trees. It can be said that the entire Zhongshan Scenic Area is like an oasis in the downtown area, completely integrated with the city of Nanjing. Standing among the green trees and watching the cars coming and going, I think in the whole of China, only the area around Hangzhou West Lake can compare with this place.
On a hot day, it is recommended to take a special bus up there. Don't follow our example of walking. We were too strong and almost died of heat (it's not far, but it seems like a long way because of the sun and heat). It's very beautiful inside and there are many things to see! A must-see spot, student tickets are half price at 15, which is worth the price.
I came at the end of July 2018. It was raining, but the room was still cool. The student ticket was 15 yuan, and the normal ticket was 30 yuan. It felt very good and luxurious. It is worth a visit. It is very close to the Presidential Palace.
It is a villa, which is my favorite place on this trip. I sigh that they enjoyed life so much at that time. Soong Mei-ling is a legendary figure, and the Mei-ling Palace is also known as the "No. 1 Villa in the Far East". The specially designed chapel, because Soong Mei-ling is a Christian, I did not take pictures of the two oil paintings at the door. The villa is said to be a gift from Chiang Kai-shek to Soong Mei-ling. Surrounded by sycamore trees, the Mei-ling Palace is like an emerald inlaid in a sycamore necklace.
This is the residence of Song Meiling and Jiang Jieshi. It is worth visiting! The environment outside the residence is also very good~~
This is where Song Meiling lived. Since everything is a replica, it is a bit boring. I think this attraction is optional.
As one of the most famous scenic spots in Zhongshan Scenic Area, Meiling Palace can definitely bring you a double harvest of history and vision. Not only can you appreciate the beauty of "the first villa in the Far East" in the eyes of Westerners, but also let us get close to and understand one of the greatest women in modern Chinese history - Song Qingling, her hobbies and deeds.
The Meiling Palace preserves paintings by Soong Mei-ling, which appear to have some skills, considering that her teacher was Zhang Daqian.
I passed by this place on the way to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum after coming out of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. The ticket package also included this attraction, so I stopped by to take a look. As the residence of Chiang Kai-shek, this building is not large. But looking at the aerial photos, it is a different scene. Combined with the surrounding trees, the beautiful streamlined shape is amazing.
The Meiling Palace is a perfect proof of Chiang Kai-shek's love for his wife. From an aerial perspective, the entire Meiling Palace is surrounded by sycamore trees, forming a feeling of a pearl necklace, and the Meiling Palace is undoubtedly the most dazzling pearl. Of course, the sycamore trees throughout Nanjing are Chiang Kai-shek's unique way of expressing romance. Because you like sycamore trees, I planted them throughout the capital... I also joked with my friends that it was no wonder that Chiang Kai-shek couldn't beat WG, because he spent all his time trying to please his wife. The top floor of the Meiling Palace is a Christian chapel. Because Soong Mei-ling believed in Christianity, Chiang Kai-shek also accepted Christian baptism. Wow, out of the Meiling Palace, along the way, there are all sycamore trees, densely packed sycamores, and thief-high sycamore trees... Bald head, bald head, you really love your wife.
The Meiling Palace really has a retro feel of the Republic of China
Looks good no matter how you shoot
A legendary figure, the villa is very stylish and beautiful, it is really a gem. It is especially suitable for taking photos here, and the colors are very elegant.
The Meiling Palace was the villa of the first lady at that time. I personally think it is the most worthwhile place to visit in the entire scenic area. Even the female staff inside wear cheongsams to match the scenes while working.
First visit the downstairs, which was the boiler room, kitchen, laundry room, and some living rooms for the staff. In addition, some calligraphy and paintings by Soong Mei-ling are exhibited, which shows the First Lady's profound cultural heritage. The second floor was the large meeting restaurant at that time, and the third floor was the host's living place, which is also the most essential part of the Mei-ling Palace. I especially like the two-person restaurant on the north side, which feels exquisite and elegant!
There isn’t much to see inside the Meiling Palace. Unfortunately, I can’t fly, so I can’t see the huge diamond necklace.
From the aerial view, the Meiling Palace looks like a jewel on a necklace.
The whole building is magnificent, and the interior decoration is luxurious and extravagant, decorated with spiral paintings. In particular, the blue-background skylark and white flower pattern was created by the meticulous painter Chen Zhifo and is unique.
Cars can go directly to the palace gate. The ground floor is the reception room, secretary's office, etc. On the west side of the second floor are the meeting room and living room, and on the east side are the bedrooms of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling.
There is an old-fashioned car parked at the entrance of Meiling Palace, which was once used by senior officials of the National Government! Song Meiling's paintings are as good as those of calligraphy and painting masters!
Since Soong Mei-ling was a devout Christian, a prayer room was specially set up in the official residence!
The first villa in the Far East (⑉°з°)-♡
Witness the relationship between Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. The building is a three-story, double-eaved mountain-style palace building with green glazed tiles on the top.
There is a retro 🚙 parked in front of the palace gate. The ground floor is the reception room, secretary's office, etc. The west side of the second floor is the guest room and living room, and the east side is the bedroom of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. 👈
Surprisingly, there is a church on the third floor, called "Kaige Hall". This was specially built by Chiang Kai-shek for his beloved wife to worship. 👏
There are sycamore trees planted all around the Meiling Palace. It was still early when we arrived at the Meiling Palace and there were few tourists. It took us just over an hour to tour the palace inside and out, upstairs and downstairs.
It is very delicate, and the introduction inside the palace is very detailed. You can understand the history of Meiling Palace step by step by following the arrows.
The Meiling Palace is so beautiful that it ranks first among all the former residences I have visited. It is worthy of being the place where the first lady lived. It has a grand appearance and luxurious interior. Although the entire building area is not large, it exudes nobility everywhere.
I didn't plan to visit this attraction at first, but later I found it was worth visiting. It is where Soong Mei-ling and Chiang Kai-shek lived. It retains their previous living environment, including the living room, reception room, dining room, bathtub where Soong Mei-ling took milk bath, kitchen, laundry room and servant's room in the basement, etc. Then there is an exhibition hall that introduces Soong Mei-ling's deeds and the Chinese paintings she painted during her lifetime. After reading the introduction, I feel that I have a new understanding of Soong Mei-ling.
Soong Mei-ling is the most outstanding woman in modern Chinese history. Mei-ling Palace is a microcosm of her life. In fact, Soong Mei-ling's talent, cultivation and taste can be seen everywhere. It is said that the French plane trees on the mountain form a necklace, and Mei-ling Palace is the gem in the necklace. It is a gift from Chiang Kai-shek to Soong Mei-ling. This legend was popular for a time. Although it is difficult to tell whether it is true or not, it also adds a bit of romance to this place.
Most of the things in the Meiling Palace recreate the life scenes of the past. The underground exhibition hall also displays many of Soong Mei-ling's paintings, as well as short films introducing Soong Mei-ling's life.
Many places can be found that are similar to the Shilin Official Residence in Taipei, such as the Kaige Church for worship. Soong May-ling was deeply influenced by Western culture and liked Western-style food, clothing, housing and transportation, while Chiang Kai-shek liked the authentic Chinese style, so the kitchens have both Chinese and Western styles. The two people had such different styles, but they were together through thick and thin throughout their lives.
In any case, Soong Mei-ling is a shining star in history and an admirable legendary woman.
The Meiling Palace is really huge, with four floors in total. You can feel the living environment of Soong Mei-ling and Chiang Kai-shek at that time. It is a place worth visiting. My favorite thing is the underground floor, which houses many of Soong Mei-ling's art works, including calligraphy and ink paintings. There is also a small room that specifically explains the records of major events in Soong Mei-ling's life. It is really worth the trip.
Walk to Xiamafang bus stop, where there is a tourist bus for 2 yuan, which runs in a loop. The stop is not far from the scenic area, so there is no need to take the sightseeing bus or train which costs 10 yuan per trip.
I bought a one-day pass for 87 RMB a day in advance. Some people said that if you buy it on site, it is for two days, but I don't know.
The Meiling Palace is not very big. The famous thing is the pattern of the sapphire necklace in the aerial photo. Inside, the layout of each room of Chiang and Song is exhibited, as well as some paintings of Song Meiling. However, there is a water dispenser inside for filling water, which is not seen in other scenic spots in Zhongshan Scenic Area.
The layout of the first stop of the Zhongshan tour is still the same as it was back then. There are not many exhibits and cultural relics. The main thing to see is the architectural layout. There is a pioneer bookstore and a Meiling cottage.
The place where Soong Mei-ling once lived. In this villa surrounded like a pearl, you can experience the former glory of the National Government and Soong Mei-ling's life.
The environment is quiet, the architecture is unique, and the layout is exquisite. You can learn about the life story of the First Lady and feel her unique charm.
I went there for Ms. Soong Mei-ling. (Calling her "Mr." shows my highest respect)
The Meiling Palace is located near the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. It is not affiliated with any tourist attraction and requires additional tickets to enter. Adult tickets are 30 yuan and the self-guided tour ticket is 10 yuan.
The Meiling Palace is not big, and is mainly shaped like a necklace, with only one main building. Chiang Kai-shek and Mei-ling lived here, and it was also used for government purposes.
The exhibition hall is divided into two floors. The first floor is the servant's bedroom, duty room, washroom, Meiling painting exhibition, kitchen, hot water room, etc. The second floor is the living room, bedroom, chapel, which is more exquisite and stylish.
In addition to looking at the architecture, I think visiting the Meiling Palace is more about looking at the history, learning about the life of this legendary woman, and getting a glimpse into history through understanding her life, experiences, and preferences, which is the greatest gain.
(I was so busy looking at it that I forgot to take a photo...please understand🙊)