Prince Gong Mansion

Hours & Admission Price Peak Season
Mar.16 - Nov.15
7:30-18:30
40 Low Season
Nov.16 - Mar.15
8:00-18:30
40 Address & Phone +86 10-8328 8149 No 17 Qianhai West Street, Xicheng district, Beijing, China. Transportation Take Bus No. 13, 42, 107, 111, 118, 701, 810, 823, 850 and get off to Beihai Beimen, you can walk (15-20 minutes through hutongs) to the Prince Gong's Mansion  Notes CNY 70 including entrance charge, fare for a local guide, listening to the opera and tasting&n;

Prince Gong's Mansion, one of the most luxury residence courtyards in Beijing, is the best preserved mansion in the capital which is said to have the secrets of half Qing Dynasty’s history.

Located at Qianhai Xijie to the north of Shichahai in Beijing, Prince Gong's Mansion is the largest and best preserved Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) princely mansion in China. Known as one of the most luxury residence courtyard houses in Beijing, it witnessed the dynasty’s decline from prosperity under seven emperors’ rule. It is said that half of Qing Dynasty’s history is hidden within the mansion.

History

Prince Gong's Mansion was initially constructed in 1777 as the private residence of He Shen, a favorite minister of Emperor Qianlong. He Shen got the trust of Emperor Qianlong in a very young age and became very wealthy by corruption with his high official position as a minister. In 1799, Emperor Jiaqing executed him and confiscated the mansion. The mansion was assigned to Prince Gong in 1851. Thus, it got its present name. Right now, the luxury mansion is open to public for visit.

Visiting Guide

Covering a total area of 60,000 square meters (14.9 acres), Prince Gong's Mansion is composed of two parts, the residential buildings in the south and the garden in the north.

Residential Area

The residential buildings consist of three sets of courtyard houses. Principal buildings in the central set are Yinan Hall and Jiele Hall, which use turquoise tiles to indicate the prince’s imperial status. The main room in the front courtyard of the eastern set is called Duofuxuan with a 200-years old Chinese wisteria. And the main room in the rear courtyard is the living room for Prince Gong.

The courtyards in the eastern set are relatively exquisite and the famous room is Xijinzhai. Its decoration and construction materials are similar to the Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity) in Forbidden City. This building surpassed the imperial building and was considered illegal, which was one of the sins took away He Shen’s life.

The Garden

The garden at the rare of the mansion is called Jincui Yuan, covering an area of 28,000 square meters (6.9 acres). It is a classic Suzhou Garden with twenty scenic spots different from each other. Pavilions, artificial hills and ponds are also visible in the garden. Among the many scenic spots, the Western-Style Gate, the Grand Theater House and the 'Fu' (a Chinese character indicating blessing and happiness) Stele to be found in the garden are ranked as the Three Uniqueness in the Prince Gong's Mansion.

Grand Theater House is in the eastern part of the garden. It is the place to enjoy Peking Opera, also holding ceremonies of weddings and funerals. 'Fu' Stele is located in a cave in the artificial hill in the middle of the garden. The character 'Fu' was written by Emperor Kangxi, a very great emperor in the Qing Dynasty whose calligraphy is excellent but rarely made inscriptions.

Prince Gong's Mansion is a place really worthy of a visit if you are interested in Chinese culture and life style of the ancient imperial family. The Lijiacai Restaurant in Yangfang Hutong at the east of the mansion is a good place to taste the imperial court food.

Beijing Culture