Pearl Buck’s Former Home is a two-story brick house, located at 6 Dengyun Road, in the western part of Zhenjiang, China, approximately one hour from downtown Nanjing, and three hours from Shanghai.The century-old building is a hotchpotch of two different architectural styles, the layout, stairways, furnaces and rooms were built and furnished in typical western ways, while its balcony and upturned eaves in traditional Chinese styles.

In October 1892, four-month-old Pearl Buck was taken to Zhenjiang by her missionary parents, where she lived, studied and worked for altogether 18 years. It was in this house that she mastered Chinese as her first language, received systematic education of Chinese culture, and began writing her first novel The Esat Wind, The West Wind.

Regarding Zhenjiang as her “Chinese homeland”, Pearl Buck cherished a strong affection to its people and landscape. She mentioned this house repeatedly in her autobiography as well as in other articles, describing with a touching pen the unforgettable moments of playing with her Chinese pals around the house and dropping in on nearby farmers.

Since China opened its door to the outside world, the house has attracted wide attention from home and abroad, it was restored In 1992, with a special appropriation from the local government and a donation of US$50,000 from the Sister City Corporation of Tempe, AZ, USA, and listed as a historic site by the local government. In 2002, the house was renovated again, and listed as a historic site by the Jiangsu provincial government.

On display inside the house are a variety of pictures and objects relating to Pearl Buck and her missionary parents’ life in Zhenjiang, and the friendly exchanges between Zhenjiang and the outside world. Visitors are also able to learn about the local history, culture and customs from the many books and souvenirs sold in the gift shop.

The house opens five days a week from Monday to Friday, with general admission rate at US$2 ( 18 Yuan), however, if advance reservations are made, guided tours are also provided on weekends and holidays. To make reservations, or if you have further questions, call 86-511-442-3215, 86-511-442-1231, or fax us at 86-511-442-2995.