Travel to Zhejiang | Explore the Turbulent Republican Era and a Family Legend at Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence in Xikou for a Time-Traveling Cultural Journey

Must-read before visiting Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence

Location

Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence is located at 77 Wuling West Road, Xikou Town, Fenghua District, Ningbo. It is a national key cultural relic protection site and the core cultural highlight of the "Xikou-Tengtou Tourist Area," a national 5A-level scenic spot.

About the former residence

Xikou is the hometown of Chiang Kai-shek and his son. The Chiang family lived here through their rise and fall, leaving behind many classic historic buildings. These structures are not just isolated old houses but a "family chronicle" spread along Shanxi Stream, where every step feels like turning a page of Republic of China history.

Opening hours

Summer season (May 1–Oct 7): 8:00–17:30, last entry at 16:30; winter season (Oct 8–Apr 30 of the following year): 8:30–17:00, last entry at 16:00.

Tickets

• Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence single ticket: ¥120/person (includes Wuling Gate, Wenchang Pavilion, Little Western House, Wuling School, Chiang Family Ancestral Hall, Fenghao House, and Yutai Salt Shop)

• Former Residence + Xuedou Mountain combo ticket ¥205–210/person (valid for 2 days, includes Xuedou Mountain shuttle bus)

• Half price (¥60) for students and seniors aged 60–69; free for seniors 70+ and children under 1.2m

• Suggested visit duration: 2.5–3 hours for the former residence alone; about 2 days if combined with Xuedou Mountain

High-speed train

• To Xikou Station (closest): about a 10-minute taxi ride from the station to Wuling Gate, fare around ¥15

• To Fenghua Station: transfer to bus 230 to the Xikou–Tengtou Tourist Center (about 40–50 minutes, ¥2)

• To Ningbo Station: take bus 988 from the South Square directly to Xikou (about 80 minutes, ¥5), or take bus 987 to Xikou Bus Station and transfer to bus 266 to Wuling Square

Driving

Set your GPS to "Xikou Scenic Area" or "Wuling Square Underground Parking Lot." Take the G1512 Yongjin Expressway and exit at Xikou East. Parking costs about ¥10/day.

For tickets, vehicle reservations, and other details, contact GreenTourAsia customer service for one-stop assistance so you can enter hassle-free.

Jiang Family Residence attractions

Wuling Gate: The main entrance to Xikou Ancient Town. The plaque on the front was inscribed by Yu Youren, while the back bears Chiang Kai-shek's own handwriting—a landmark gate tower featuring calligraphy from two prominent figures.

Fenghao House: The ancestral home of the Chiang family, covering 4,800 square meters with 49 rooms. Don't miss the carved beams and painted pillars, along with the golden and silver osmanthus trees planted by Soong Mei-ling in the courtyard. It's the best spot to experience the grandeur of a wealthy Republican-era household.

Wenchang Pavilion: Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling's private villa and library, built along Shanxi Stream. Open the second-floor windows for a bird's-eye view of the stream's most beautiful S-bend, while Qishui Bridge below offers a lesser-known photo spot.

Little Western House: Chiang Ching-kuo's residence after returning from the Soviet Union. The Western-style building displays letters, photos and other relics. Most moving is the "Wash Blood with Blood" stele—inscribed by Chiang Ching-kuo himself after his mother Mao Fumei was killed. The original was destroyed; the current one is a replica.

Yutai Salt Shop: Chiang Kai-shek's birthplace and where the Chiang family got its start. The current building was rebuilt in 1948, with two courtyards full of everyday charm.

Wuling School: Founded by Chiang Kai-shek following his mother's dying wish, with him serving as principal. It now houses the Xikou Museum. Its blend of Chinese and Western architecture captures the Republican-era atmosphere, and admission is free.

How to explore the former residence hassle-free

Things to note

• Most buildings in the former residence are protected cultural relics. Please do not touch carvings, murals or other artifacts, and flash photography is prohibited indoors.

• The old town has mostly stone-paved streets, so comfortable flat shoes are recommended. In summer, bring rain gear and mosquito repellent.

• Some areas of the Chiang Family Ancestral Hall are used by local descendants for ceremonies. Please keep quiet and respect local customs when visiting.

• It gets crowded on holidays, so book your tickets 1–2 days in advance via our official account to avoid waiting in line. If you have trouble booking, contact customer service directly — we offer a booking service so you can travel worry-free.

Local food guide

Fenghua Qiancengbing (thousand-layer cake)

A signature snack of Xikou, available in seaweed and sesame flavors. It has a crispy crust and many flaky layers. "Wang Maolong Qiancengbing" in the ancient town is a century-old brand selling them for ¥15/tube—perfect to eat on the spot or take home as a souvenir.

Taro soup

Fenghua taro is starchy and sweet, making a thick, creamy soup when paired with minced pork and diced mushrooms. "Waipojia Restaurant" in town serves the most authentic version at ¥28/serving.

Beef noodles

A Xikou breakfast specialty. The noodles are made from sweet potato starch, giving them a springy, chewy texture. Served with slow-braised tender beef and bone broth, a bowl in the morning is both warming and filling. We recommend "Lao Xikou Beef Noodle Shop" at ¥25/bowl.

Salt-boiled stream shrimp

Wild shrimp from Shanxi Stream have tender meat. Boiled in salt water to preserve their original flavor, they're a standard appetizer at local restaurants for ¥38 per serving. In season, you can even get shrimp with roe.

GreenTourAsia knows the local food scene. Just let customer service know your dietary preferences in advance, and we'll create a custom dining plan for you.

Packing checklist

• ID & documents: ID card, student/senior cards or other discount passes. If you've booked a guesthouse, remember to bring your booking details.

• Gear: Comfortable walking shoes, umbrella/sunshade, sunscreen, insect repellent. Temperatures vary widely in the mornings and evenings during spring and fall, so bring a light jacket.

• Booking tips: Book the cable car and mini train at Xuedou Mountain Scenic Area in advance to avoid queuing on site.

• Other: Bring an empty water bottle—there are drinking water stations in the old town. If you want to try the local food, don't eat too much beforehand so you have room for all the snacks.

Recommended Ningbo Itineraries

1-day highlights tour (ideal for travelers short on time)

Morning: Core area of Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence (Fenghao House → Yutai Salt Shop → Little Western House)

Afternoon: Xuedou Mountain Scenic Area (Miaogao Terrace → Xuedou Temple)

Evening: Night tour of Xikou Ancient Town to sample local specialties

2-day in-depth tour (recommended)

Day 1: Arrive in Xikou → check into an eco-homestay → explore the core area of Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence → hands-on Qiancengbing (thousand-layer cake) making experience

Day 2: Full-day tour of Xuedou Mountain → Yue Opera performance → return trip or head to nearby attractions

3-day cultural experience tour

Building on the 2-day itinerary, add nearby experiences such as a visit to Tengtou Ecological Village, the Ningbo Museum, and cycling around Dongqian Lake to fully immerse yourself in Jiangnan culture and natural beauty.

All itineraries can be flexibly adjusted to suit your schedule and interests. Our travel consultants are online 24/7—just let them know what you'd like to change: more time for photos, a different hotel, an intangible cultural heritage experience, a vegetarian restaurant... GreenTourAsia's service ensures every trip is uniquely yours.

Zhejiang Travel Service Guide

• Guided tours with history experts: GreenTourAsia provides guides well-versed in Republic of China history and the Chiang family lineage. They'll bring to life the stories behind a plaque at Fenghao House or a carved window at Wenchang Pavilion, rather than just reading from the signs.

• Ticket and package booking: We can book tickets in advance so you skip the lines on site.

• Authentic local food: Based on your dietary preferences, your guide will take you to trusted old-school restaurants near Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence—no tourist traps.

• Best spots to avoid the crowds: Our guides know the light and crowd flow at every hour, taking you to quiet spots with great lighting instead of queuing on the main paths for photos.

• Flexible itinerary combinations: Xikou is just the starting point. We can link Xuedou Mountain, Tengtou, or even Shaoxing, Hangzhou, and Wuzhen into a longer Jiangnan cultural route (everything customized to your needs).

• Solving pain points for international and out-of-town travelers: Designed for visitors who face cultural and historical gaps, are unfamiliar with local transport, and want in-depth commentary. We also provide seamless connections from high-speed rail stations/airports to the attractions.

• Reliable quality: Officially endorsed for service quality. In 2010, we were rated as a National Quality Credit Class A Travel Agency by tourism authorities—the highest recognition of industry reputation and service quality.

• Genuine reviews: With 30 years of expertise in customized tours, we have served over 1 million travelers worldwide and earned countless positive reviews—all based on real experiences shared by guests after their trips.

Pricing details

Our fees consist of the following parts. The exact amount depends on your group size, number of days, hotel standard, and whether Xuedou Mountain is included:

• Cultural guide: You can book a guided tour service separately.

• Private car transfer: Priced separately based on the distance from your departure point to Xikou.

• Accommodation and meals: Xikou Town has hotels ranging from budget to luxury — the choice is yours.

All services can be booked individually with no mandatory packages. Just tell customer service what you need, and we'll provide a quote. That way, you know exactly where every penny goes.

China travel FAQs: Let's clear up your concerns first

What exactly can GreenTourAsia arrange?

We offer custom private itineraries in China, and can also arrange guides, private cars, transfers, hotels, tickets, and multi-city connections separately.

Why are some services free?

Initial communication, preliminary planning and service suggestions help both sides confirm requirements and are usually free of charge; booking and execution services that actually use resources require payment.

Can I inquire before confirming my dates?

Yes. Provide your expected month, trip duration, group size and main cities first, and our travel consultant can suggest a route direction; an exact quote still requires confirmed dates and resource availability.

What is not covered by our service promise?

We do not guarantee visa approval results, permanent third-party inventory availability, or unconditional refunds beyond supplier policies; we do not provide illegal or unlicensed services. For medical emergencies and insurance claims, please contact the relevant professional organizations.

Recommended Jiangnan cultural experiences in China

We also exclusively offer a variety of Jiangnan cultural experiences to make your trip more than just sightseeing:

• Traditional crafts: Fenghua thousand-layer cake making, Ningbo straw weaving, and celadon firing—create your own unique Jiangnan souvenir

• Traditional arts: Yue Opera performances, Ningbo Zoushu storytelling, and Jiangnan tea ceremony—experience the charm of traditional Chinese arts up close

• Food experiences: Ningbo cuisine cooking classes, seafood market tours, and local snack tastings—savor the unique flavors of Jiangnan

• Folk customs: Join local festivals, experience Jiangnan water town wedding traditions, and learn Chinese calligraphy and painting—immerse yourself in local life

More Zhejiang Tour Routes

We've also prepared a variety of extended routes nearby. Feel free to mix and match based on your interests:

• Jiangnan water town route: Ningbo → Shaoxing → Wuzhen → Hangzhou. Experience the classic Jiangnan water towns, the charm of Shaoxing described by Lu Xun, and the nightscape of Wuzhen.

• Buddhist culture route: Xuedou Temple → Mount Putuo. Visit Mount Putuo, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, and soak in its rich Buddhist atmosphere.

• Harbor culture route: Ningbo-Zhoushan Port → Xiangshan Film & TV Town → Shipu Fishing Port. Learn about Ningbo's history as a starting point of the Maritime Silk Road and experience fishing village life.

• Eco-leisure route: Dongqian Lake → Siming Mountain → Tengtou Ecological Village. Relax among the mountains and waters and see the eco-friendly development of China's new countryside.

* All routes can be customized by GreenTourAsia. We'll flexibly adjust your itinerary, extend or shorten the route based on your available time, and change cities or attractions as you wish. There are no fixed plans or mandatory packages—everything is tailored to your preferences and needs.

How to contact customer service

The first step in planning your trip is a free chat with our customer service team:

1. Tell customer service your departure time, group size, and planned number of days.

2. Let us know if you only want to visit Chiang Kai-shek's Former Residence, or also Xuedou Mountain, or even extend your trip across Jiangnan.

3. If seniors or children are traveling with you, provide their ages so we can apply for ticket discounts.

4. Once we understand your needs, customer service will provide a transparent, itemized quote covering tickets, guides, transportation, and accommodation.

5. After you confirm your itinerary, GreenTourAsia will support you every step of the way.

As you stand in the courtyard of Fenghao House, looking at the golden and silver osmanthus trees planted by Soong Mei-ling, our guide might quietly tell you about a small moment that happened here one autumn afternoon... This is exactly the kind of travel memory we hope you take home.

This trip to China isn't about reciting cold history—it's about those moments when you quietly connect with the people and stories of this land.

If you'd like to have an experience like this, feel free to contact our travel consultants anytime to share what you're looking for.