Crab-apple flower

   Time: April to Mid-May

               Place: former residence of Soong Ching-ling

The most wonderful place to enjoy crab-apple flower in Beijing is the former residence of Soong Ching-ling. [Photo by Zhang Lin/China.org.cn]

Surround by lakes and artificial mountains, the former residence of Soong Ching-ling, wife of Sun Yat-sen, is located in Beijing's beautifully scenic Houhai North Street. The resident was once a prince's mansion of the Qing Dynasty (1644－1911), and Soong Ching-ling lived there for 18 years until her death on May 29, 1981. Covering an area of over 20,000 square meters, the residence features traditional Chinese courtyards and houses and contains various plants and elegant gardens. In 2010, the first "Crab-apple Flower Festival" was held, which presented many crab-apple trees, including some over 200 years old.

Travel tips:

Admission: 20 yuan for adults, 10 yuan for students

Getting there: Bus No. 5, 44, 305, 380, 409, 625, 909, 919 to Deshengmen Stop.