Prince Gong's Mansion
The largest princely mansion complex of the Qing dynasty: built in 1776 as the residence of the powerful minister Heshen, granted to Prince Qing (Yonglin) in the Jiaqing reign and transferred to Prince Gong (Yixin) in the Xianfeng era — 'One Prince Gong's Mansion, half the history of the Qing' sums up the changing owners and their entanglement with the nation's fate.
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 08:30-17:00·Closed Mondays
- Ticket
- CNY 40
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
The largest princely mansion complex of the Qing dynasty: built in 1776 as the residence of the powerful minister Heshen, granted to Prince Qing (Yonglin) in the Jiaqing reign and transferred to Prince Gong (Yixin) in the Xianfeng era — 'One Prince Gong's Mansion, half the history of the Qing' sums up the changing owners and their entanglement with the nation's fate. Layout of mansion in front and garden behind: classic sights include the Western-Style Gate, the Imperial Inscription Pavilion, the Bat Pond (alluding to 'fu', meaning good fortune) and the Grand Opera House (a fully enclosed theater built entirely of wood); the 26,000-square-meter garden, with its hills, ponds, pavilions and terraces, imitates Jiangnan (Yangtze delta) landscaping. A stele bearing the character 'fu' (福, fortune) in the Kangxi Emperor's own hand is hidden in the Miyun Cave of the rockery, and 'touching the fortune character' has become a must-do ritual for visitors. The mansion and garden fully opened in 2008 and it is now one of Beijing's most popular historic attractions — note that it closes on Mondays.
Getting there: Metro Line 6, Beihai North Station
Photos
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