Zhang Xueliang Former Residence Holiday Guide—Who Would Believe This Was Taken on May Day?

“A Marshal’s Mansion, Half a Republic of China History”
The story of the Marshal’s Mansion cannot be told in just a few words. It’s recommended to learn about this history before visiting, which will make the on-site experience much more interesting. I won’t elaborate much here; instead, I’ll mainly share visiting tips and how to take photos without crowds during the busy holidays (see photo 17 for the real situation on our shooting day)～
💡Fun Fact: Zhang Xueliang Former Residence / Zhang’s Marshal Mansion / Marshal’s Mansion / Young Marshal’s Mansion all refer to the same place. The official name of the attraction now is “Zhang Xueliang Former Residence Exhibition Hall.”

🏛️First, understand the building layout:
🌟West Courtyard: Red Building Complex (not open to the public)
🌟Central Courtyard: Three-entrance Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house)
📍First Entrance Courtyard: Reception and accounting office
📍Second Entrance Courtyard: Early residence and office of the Marshal
📍Third Entrance Courtyard: Family living quarters
📷Photo spots: The screen wall at the entrance with the characters “Hongxi,” the “Chuihua Yimen” gate in the second courtyard, stone table and stools inside the second courtyard
🌟East Courtyard:
📍Rockery
📍Big Qing Building: Office of Zhang and his son; the Tiger Hall where the “Yang Chang Incident” happened is here
📍Small Qing Building: Built by Zhang Zuolin for his fifth wife; Zhang Zuolin passed away here
📍Guan Di Temple
📍Garden
📷Photo spots: Railings outside the Big Qing Building, by the garden pond
🌟Outside the Courtyard:
📍Zhao Yidi Former Residence: The saying goes, “Marry anyone but not Zhang Xueliang; marry Yu Fengzhi if you marry.” Zhang Xueliang’s original wife Yu Fengzhi spent her own money to build a small villa for Miss Zhao Si
📍Financial Museum: Former site of Bianye Bank (separate ticket required)

‼️‼️Holiday Photo Tips (for dates so crowded you can barely move):
✅Go in the afternoon: Since most visitors follow the route Central Courtyard ➡️ East Courtyard, near closing time everyone gathers at the Big and Small Qing Buildings in the East Courtyard. At this time, head against the flow back to the Siheyuan in the Central Courtyard—almost no one there! Take lots of photos! We had originally given up on photographing the Big and Small Qing Buildings due to the crowd, but when we wanted to go back to the entrance to shoot the “Hongxi” characters, we accidentally discovered the nearly empty Siheyuan just before closing 🉑 perfect for portraits!
✅Go in the morning: Similarly, if you go straight to the East Courtyard right when it opens, it’s also empty
✅Summary: For Siheyuan photos, go late afternoon before closing; for Big and Small Qing Buildings/garden photos, go early morning right at opening
👗Photo outfit suggestions: Qipao / Overseas-educated young lady style

🌈Other Useful Information:
⏰Opening Hours (❌Closed on Mondays):
Summer (4.10–10.9) 8:30–17:30
Winter (10.10–4.9) 9:00–16:30
🎫Tickets: 18 (Don’t overpay! One ticket for 18 covers both Zhang Xueliang Former Residence and Zhao Yidi Former Residence)