Presidential Palace (Nanjing)
Jiangsu Sheng
The Presidential Palace in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, served as the office of the President of the Republic of China from 1927 until 1949, when the government relocated to Taipei. Originally the site was the manor of the Prince of Han during the Ming dynasty and later the Office of the Viceroy of Two Lower Yangtze Provinces in the Qing dynasty. It was expanded and transformed into the luxurious Palace of the Heavenly King during the Taiping Rebellion. After the Qing retook Nanjing, the palace was largely destroyed and rebuilt in a neoclassical style as government offices. Following the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, Sun Yat-sen was sworn in here as provisional president. Later, it became the headquarters of the Nationalist Government under Chiang Kai-shek. During the Japanese occupation in WWII, it was controlled by collaborator Wang Jingwei. After 1949, the building served Jiangsu provincial government and was eventually converted into the China Modern History Museum in the 1980s, dedicated to 20th-century Chinese history. Architecturally, the complex includes a central axis with gardens and buildings mainly constructed between 1870 and the 1930s, representing one of the largest surviving ensembles of modern Chinese governmental architecture.
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Tip: Visitors should consider going during weekdays to avoid weekend crowds and explore the museum with a guided tour to fully appreciate the historical exhibits. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons. The museum offers discounts for students and seniors. The site is accessible via Nanjing Metro Line 2 (Daxinggong Station).
Interesting facts
- •The palace was once the luxurious Palace of the Heavenly King during the Taiping Rebellion.
- •Sun Yat-sen was sworn in here as the provisional President of the Republic of China in 1911.
- •Chiang Kai-shek had his office in the palace during the Nationalist Government era.
- •During WWII, the palace was occupied by Wang Jingwei's collaborationist government.
- •The site was transformed into the China Modern History Museum in the 1980s, focusing exclusively on 20th-century Chinese history.
History
The site originated as the manor of the Prince of Han during the Ming dynasty and became the Office of the Viceroy of Two Lower Yangtze Provinces in the Qing dynasty.
It was converted into the Palace of the Heavenly King during the Taiping Rebellion in 1853 but was largely destroyed by Qing forces in 1864.
Rebuilt with neoclassical government buildings by 1870, it became the provisional presidential office after the 1911 revolution.
From 1927, it served as the Nationalist Government headquarters until the Communist capture in 1949, after which it was repurposed for provincial government use and later transformed into a museum.
Place Guide
Central Axis and Main Gate1870-1930s
The central axis forms the spine of the palace complex, featuring the main gate which was originally the gate of the Viceroy's Office and later the Gate of True God's Glorious Light during the Taiping period. Although demolished and rebuilt several times, it remains a symbolic entrance representing the palace's layered history.
West GardenLate 19th to early 20th century
The West Garden is part of the palace grounds, offering landscaped areas that historically served as private and official gardens. It reflects traditional Chinese garden aesthetics blended with modern governmental architecture from the late Qing and Republican periods.
East GardenLate 19th to early 20th century
The East Garden complements the West Garden, providing green spaces and scenic views within the palace complex. It historically accommodated leisure and official receptions, embodying a mix of Chinese and Western landscaping styles.
Contact
Phone: 025 8457 8888