Architecture of Prince Gong's Mansion

Index | History | Architecture | Garden

The princes' mansions were built with walled flower gardens. It is ingeniously constructed with complementary buildings and terraces, well spaced vegetation and hill paths that wind their way around pool and tranquil grottos. It is an exquisite combination of classical Chinese architecture and tasteful landscape. Princes Gong' mansion is composed of three complexes of buildings: central, eastern and western.

Upon entering the main gate, the visitor can see magnificent buildings stand to the fore of the mansion on three axes in traditional Chinese style. In this mansion, however, the Central Spirit Hall was destroyed. The rear hall is a two-storey structure more than 180 metres wide. An unusual wooden artificial hill forms the flight of stairs which gives access to the building. The buildings to the east are Duofu Study, a structure in the Ming style is on the eastern axis. A Chinese wisteria plant with a history of more than 200 years is still growing in front of it.

On each sides of Duofu Study are four courtyards. In the third courtyard, called Xijin Studio, there is a seven-roomed, exquisitely furnished hall. All the beams and pillars are made of nanmu, and its sandalwood partitions are reminiscent of those found in Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity) in the Forbidden City. In the centre of the courtyard are two rare midget crabapple trees nearly 300 years old.

Start a Beijing tour