Meiling Palace (美龄宫), located in Nanjing, China, is a magnificent architectural masterpiece that holds significant historical and cultural importance. Constructed in the early 20th century, the palace served as the residence of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, the influential wife of General Chiang Kai-shek, who was the leader of the Republic of China during the tumultuous period of the Chinese Civil War.
Spread across vast grounds, Meiling Palace exhibits a blend of traditional Chinese and Western architectural styles, showcasing the influence of both cultures. The palace features grand halls, elegant pavilions, beautiful gardens, and intricate courtyards that exemplify the opulence and grace of the era.
Stepping inside the palace, visitors are greeted with ornate decorations, richly adorned furniture, and exquisite artwork, reflecting the refined tastes of Madame Chiang Kai-shek. The interiors of the palace are filled with historical artifacts, including precious porcelain, antique furniture, and intricate tapestries, which offer a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the era’s elite.
The surrounding gardens of Meiling Palace are a serene retreat, offering visitors a tranquil atmosphere to wander and admire the natural beauty. Lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and flowing streams create a picturesque setting, enhancing the overall charm of the palace.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Meiling Palace
- Vlog about Meiling palace
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions Near Meiling Palace
Basic Information
| Website | http://www.zschina.org.cn/mlg/ |
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 30 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 7.30 – 18.00; Last admission: 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-025-84433582 |
Location and Transportation
Meiling Palace is situated in the city of Nanjing, which is the capital of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Located at the eastern foot of Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan), Meiling Palace enjoys a scenic and strategic position. To get there, you can choose the following way:
Located at the eastern foot of Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan), Meiling Palace enjoys a scenic and strategic position. To get there, you can choose the following way:
Bus: Take bus 5, 34, 36, 55, 84, 142, or 315, get off at Weigang Stop (卫岗), and walk about 1 kilometer to the north to reach the palace.
Metro: The nearest metro station to Meiling Palace is Xiamafang (下马坊) on line 2. After getting out of the station from Exit 2, walk about 1.2 kilometers to the north to reach the palace.
Highlights of Meiling Palace
Architectural Splendor
The overall design of Meiling Palace follows the natural contours of the hillside, resembling a pearl necklace with a green gemstone pendant. The ring-shaped road lined with French plane trees leading to the former main building of the National Government Chairman’s Residence represents the “necklace,” with the main gate as its clasp. The deep green glazed tiles symbolize the gemstone pendant, adding to the palace’s unique charm.
Meiling Palace is also known as the “Phoenix Palace,” as it features over 1,000 phoenix sculptures adorning the glazed tile roof, a row of phoenix feather patterns on the column capitals beneath the eaves, and phoenix motifs on the 34 white marble railings of the second-floor south balcony. These elements reflect a distinctly feminine touch. The number 34 is also significant, symbolizing Soong Mei-ling’s birthday, March 4th.
Layout of the Palace
The main building of Meiling Palace is a three-story, double-eaved structure in the style of a traditional Ming and Qing dynasty palace. The main entrance is located on the north side. The ground floor houses reception rooms, the secretary’s office, and other administrative spaces. The eastern section of the basement contains the guards’ quarters, a cloakroom, and a confidential document room.
The second floor serves primarily as a meeting and resting area. Its grand hall, used for state banquets, features a long dining table and follows Western etiquette, with European-style tableware elegantly arranged. On the north side of the second floor, there is a mezzanine about one meter high, designated as a private dining area for Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling, furnished with a small two-person table.
The third floor is the residential area, comprising a ladies’ lounge, four spacious bedrooms, a small dining room, and a kitchen. The interior is tastefully decorated, with deep purple-red carpets covering the floors and calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists adorning the walls. The original living room has since been converted into the Christ Triumphant Church.
Interesting Rumors
There is a popular rumor that the Meiling Palace was a 34th birthday gift from Chiang Kai-shek to Soong Mei-ling and was intentionally designed in the shape of a “necklace.” However, this is likely just a beautiful misconception. Before the construction of the official residence, the site originally served as a security outpost for Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Moreover, there is no historical record in the original architectural design indicating any intentional resemblance to a necklace. To date, no evidence has been found to support this claim.
In reality, the rows of plane trees forming the “necklace” along Lingyuan Avenue were planted between 1925 and 1929 during the construction of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. It was not until later that Chiang Kai-shek selected the small hill of Xiaohong Mountain as the site for the official residence. The additional plane trees surrounding the building, which contribute to the appearance of a “pendant,” were only planted in 1934.
Vlog about Meiling palace
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Entrance from Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵): Meiling Palace is not far from Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. Enter through Gate 5 of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum.
- Modern and Luxurious Interior: The palace’s interior is modern and luxurious with gorgeous decorations, making it visually appealing. It’s recommended for photography, as the surroundings provide picturesque settings.
- Time Consideration: The overall experience inside Meiling Palace might take around 20 minutes.
- Note on Crowds: Be aware that on weekends and holidays, the palace might be crowded, making it challenging to navigate, especially in smaller spaces.
- Aerial Photography for Unique Views: Consider using aerial photography to capture the intricate layout of Meiling Palace surrounded by Wutong trees.
First of all, I must acknowledge its cultural value, but personally, I feel that it’s not worth the entrance fee to wander around without a guide explaining the historical background. I expected it to be a building where she used to live, with perhaps some mountain paths and gardens to explore. However, it turned out to be a few floors with different rooms where she had stayed before. I had seen many beautiful photos of this place online, and it… Read more »