Former Residence of Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Xueliang, Liaoning, China

5ChiYuLu 5:00 PM Aug 30, 2017

Stories of the Zhang Family, stories of Northeast China in 1920s and early 1930s
As a local, I heard about stories told by performers or shown in the movies that took place in this residence since I was a child, although it wasn't until today I "officially" visit this place (never too late!). For instance, how Zhang Xueliang (the son) ambushed and executed his two government officials in the Tiger Hall in 1929 (you can get to see it from inside), or the deathbed of Zhang Zuolin the father, after the assassination by the Japanese army in 1928. Also, this is also the place where Zhang Xueliang announced officially that his government (of the Northeast China) would pledge loyalty to the central government in Nanjing (Kuomintang gov led by Chiang Kai-shek). If you count the 9.18 Mukden Incident which took place in Shenyang (Mukden means Shenyang in Manchu language), this place is the epicenter of politics of Northeast China and even for the whole country by around 1930. Zhang Zuolin rose to the position as the leader of Northeast China after the collapse of the Qing Dynasty by 1912. He built this residence by 1914 and lived here until his death 14 years later. His son, Zhang Xueliang who inherited the political power and prestige, only lived here for 3 years when Japan invaded Shenyang and Northeast China in 1931. Zhang Xueliang is a figure you may have mixed feelings about: He is a patriot and truly wished to do something about it, but he made a terrible mistake when he ordered his troops not to resist when the Japanese army attacked on the night of 18.9.1931; He is a playboy of his time and a drug addict, on the other hand, he established and sponsored Northeast University of China and sent the first Chinese athlete to participate in the Olympics (1932 LA Olympics); He is loyal to Chiang Kai-shek and was once second to him only in the whole country, yet he sympathize the Communists, eventually hijacked Chiang and force him to unite with the Communists against the Japanese. The place is pretty decent, with Chinese furnitures inside and a Western facade from the outside. For non-native speakers of Chinese, there are some English and Japanese texts (not too much though), I'd suggest you do your homework before the visit, so it can be more fun for you :) 28 Yuan per visit for the main residence and house of Zhang Xueliang's second wife, 60 for exhibition to the private bank owned by this family (now turned into a bank museum). Free wifi if you scan the code and follow their WeChat account I think, I don't need that though.

4do_be_kind 5:00 PM Aug 10, 2019

Huge mansion. Larger than the imperial palace
Visited here right after imperial palace..there were many tickets types and all are in Chinese so we didnt know what kind of tickets to buy so ended up getting the 2nd most expensive which is rmb50. The mansion are huge and there are many display to tell you who Marshall Zhang is and his contributions. Could easily spend 2-3 hrs here if you are interested to read about the history.