Song Qingling Museum
Song Qingling, (1893-1981) was wife of Dr Sun Yatsen,
founder of the Republic of China and one of the famous "Soong
Sisters". She has been described as one of China’s outstanding
women of the 20th century and was a great advocate of civil rights,
democracy and freedom from aggression.
After her husband’s death in 1925, Song Qingling
supported the Communist government and was eventually made honorary
President of the People’s Republic - in spite of the fact that most
of her family were key members of the Kuomintang - her younger sister
Meiling was married to Chiang Kaishek and older sister Ailing was
married to H.H. Kung, finance minister for the Kuomintang.
Song’s home is on the grounds of what used to be the mansion
of Qing dynasty princes. The government built a residence for her
on this site and Song worked, studied and lived there from 1963
until her death in 1981.
After her passing, the stately home was transformed
into a museum dedicated to her and Sun Yatsen. Visitors will find
photographs and personal items from Song’s life as well as rooms
set up with furniture as they were in her lifetime. A section of
the museum is called the Children’s Hall and reflects Song’s great
affection and concern for the youth of China.
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