Presidential Palace
Six centuries of Chinese governance in one compound
No. 292 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
The Presidential Palace (Zongtong Fu) is a sprawling compound in the heart of Nanjing that has served as a seat of power for over six hundred years, housing Ming Dynasty officials, Qing viceroys, Taiping Heavenly Kingdom leaders, and Republic of China presidents including Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek. The compound combines Western-style government buildings, traditional Chinese ceremonial halls, and classical gardens in a single complex that traces the arc of modern Chinese political history. It is one of Nanjing's most visited attractions and an essential stop for anyone interested in the forces that shaped 20th century China.
Admission is around 35 yuan. The palace is open daily from 8:30am to 6:00pm in summer and 8:30am to 5:00pm in winter. Last entry is one hour before closing.
Details
Government Buildings
The compound's central axis features a sequence of Western-style government buildings where the Republic of China administration conducted its business. Sun Yat-sen's office, Chiang Kai-shek's office, and the presidential reception rooms have been preserved with period furnishings and interpretive displays. The architectural contrast between these Western-influenced structures and the traditional Chinese buildings elsewhere in the compound reflects Nanjing's identity as a city caught between old and new China.
Classical Gardens
The western section of the compound contains a classical Jiangnan-style garden originally laid out during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom period and later refined under Qing and Republican administrators. Rockeries, ponds, covered walkways, and ornamental pavilions create a traditional garden atmosphere. The Xu Garden section, with its boat-shaped stone pavilion reflected in the pond, is the most photographed corner of the compound.
Historical Exhibitions
Multiple exhibition halls throughout the compound present the history of each political era that occupied the site. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom exhibits are particularly interesting, covering the millenarian Christian movement that captured Nanjing in the 1850s and established it as their capital. The Republican-era exhibitions document the founding of the Republic in 1912 and the Nanjing government's subsequent history.
Getting There
Address: No. 292 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
**Daxinggong Station** on Line 2 and Line 3 exits near the palace's main entrance on Changjiang Road. The palace is in central Nanjing, adjacent to the 1912 Bar District and the Jiangsu Art Museum, and within walking distance of Xuanwu Lake and Xinjiekou.
Presidential Palace
Six centuries of Chinese governance in one compound