The only fully accessible Qing Dynasty royal mansion in China — "Half of Qing history is written within these walls" — its garden blends northern and southern landscape traditions.
Prince Gong's Mansion is located on Qianhai West Street in Xicheng District, covering approximately 61,000 square meters. It is the only fully preserved Qing Dynasty royal mansion open to the public in China. Originally built during the Qianlong era as the private residence of the powerful minister Heshen, it later passed through the hands of Prince Qing Yonglin and Prince Gong Yixin, witnessing the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty.
The mansion comprises two main sections: the residential compound and the garden (Cuijin Yuan). The residential area features a grand, symmetrical layout divided into eastern, central, and western wings, with various halls, pavilions, and courtyards arranged in elegant order. The garden blends the stately grandeur of northern imperial gardens with the delicate charm of southern private gardens.
As a national 5A scenic area and key national cultural relic, Prince Gong's Mansion attracts millions of visitors annually. The mansion houses a vast collection of precious artifacts, most famously the Kangxi Emperor's calligraphic "Fu" (blessing) stele. After comprehensive restoration in 2008, it has become a must-visit destination for understanding Qing Dynasty mansion culture.
Hidden within the Biyun Cave of the garden rockery, the Kangxi Emperor's calligraphic "Fu" (blessing) stele is the mansion's greatest treasure. The character was written by Emperor Kangxi to pray for his grandmother Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. The calligraphy cleverly conceals the characters for "children, fields, talent, longevity, and fortune" — earning the title "The Greatest Blessing Under Heaven." Touching the Fu stele for good luck is a must-do for every visitor.
Covering approximately 28,000 square meters, Cuijin Yuan is the crown jewel of Prince Gong's Mansion. The garden is divided into central, eastern, and western sections. The central axis features the Western Gate, Dule Peak, Bat Pool, and the Fu Stele. The eastern wing houses the Yishen Chamber and the Floating Cup Pavilion; the western wing centers on the Square Pond Waterside Pavilion and the Mid-Lake Pavilion. Each season brings its own beauty — crabapple blossoms in spring, lotus in summer, golden ginkgo in autumn, and snow-dusted pines in winter.
Located on the garden's eastern wing, the Grand Theater is China's largest fully enclosed mansion theater. Covering approximately 685 square meters, it can seat around 200 spectators. Built entirely of wood without a single iron nail, its acoustic design is remarkable — large clay jars buried beneath the stage serve as resonance chambers. Today it still hosts regular performances of Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera.
Located on the mansion's western wing, Xijin Zhai was built by Heshen in imitation of the Ningshou Palace in the Forbidden City. Its interior is entirely decorated with precious golden nanmu wood — a material reserved exclusively for imperial use since ancient times. This act of exceeding his station was cited as one of the twenty crimes leading to Heshen's downfall. The carved gallery upstairs, folding screens, and green gauze cabinets represent the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty interior design. Walking through, the subtle fragrance of golden nanmu is captivating.
The Bat Pool on the garden's central axis is named for its bat-shaped outline — "bat" (fu) is a homophone for "fortune" (fu), symbolizing blessings filling the garden. The crystal-clear water is surrounded by rockeries and flowering trees. Lotus blooms perfume the air in summer. Elm trees on either side drop their "elm coins" into the pool each spring, embodying the wish for "double fortune and wealth."
Main Gate → Yin'an Hall (mansion history) → Jiale Hall (central main hall) → Duofu Pavilion (western main hall) → Xijin Zhai (golden nanmu) → Rear Tower (160+ rooms) → Western Gate into garden → Dule Peak → Bat Pool → touch the Fu Stele in Biyun Cave → Square Pond Waterside Pavilion → Grand Theater → tea at Yishen Chamber → East Gate exit. Covers all highlights — perfect for first-time visitors.
Main Gate → Yin'an Hall History Exhibition → Heshen's Life Gallery → Jiale Hall Qing Mansion Culture Exhibition → Duofu Pavilion (Prince Gong's council chamber) → Xijin Zhai → Rear Tower Treasure Gallery → Bat Pool → Fu Stele → Yu Gate (Great Wall miniature) → Moon Invitation Terrace. Focuses on the stories of Heshen and Prince Gong — ideal for history enthusiasts.
Start at the garden's Western Gate → Dule Peak rockery → Bat Pool lotus viewing (summer) → Anshan Hall tea → Dicui Rock → Square Pond fish watching → Mid-Lake Pavilion → Qinqiu Pavilion floating cup → Grand Theater → Yishen Chamber. Designed for garden lovers — best during spring and autumn bloom seasons.
Royal Tea Tasting: In the Yishen Chamber tea house, savor authentic Beijing covered-bowl tea with imperial-style pastries. The tea room, converted from a historic building, features wooden furniture and carved window lattices in an exquisitely refined atmosphere.
Intangible Heritage Workshops: The mansion regularly hosts traditional craft workshops including paper-cutting, dough figurine sculpting, and Peking Opera mask painting. Activities usually on weekends and holidays — check the official website in advance.
Grand Theater Performances: Watching a traditional Peking Opera or Kunqu performance in the century-old Grand Theater is a cultural experience unique to Prince Gong's Mansion. Special performance seasons are held each spring and autumn — book well in advance.
Night Cultural Tour: Each summer, the mansion hosts "Museum Night" events — strolling through the garden under atmospheric lighting creates a uniquely elegant ambiance. Night tour spots are limited — book at least one week in advance.
Creative Shopping: The mansion's gift shops feature "Fu" culture-themed products — hundreds of items including Fu stele rubbings, golden nanmu bracelets, and mansion tea sets. The Fu stele rubbings are the most popular.
Shichahai Scenic Area (~10 min walk): Exit the mansion's east gate and you're at Shichahai's Front Lake — stroll along the water, enjoy hutong views, or take a rickshaw deeper into the alleys. In winter, enjoy ice skating at the Shichahai ice rink.
Nanluoguxiang (~15 min walk): Beijing's most artistic hutong commercial street, packed with creative boutiques, trendy food spots, and cafes — perfect for browsing, eating, and photographing.
Beihai Park (~20 min walk): An imperial garden with the White Pagoda reflected in the lake and the exquisite Nine-Dragon Wall. Combined with Prince Gong's Mansion, experience the contrast between private mansion gardens and imperial royal parks.
Dining: The hutongs around the mansion hide many distinctive restaurants. Kaorou Ji on the east bank of Qianhai is a century-old brand — don't miss their signature roast lamb. The Lotus Market area offers lakeside dining, while Huguo Temple Snack Street serves authentic Beijing snacks.
Accommodation: The Shichahai area has several boutique hutong hotels and guesthouses for an immersive old Beijing hutong experience. Prices range from ¥200 hostels to ¥1,000+ courtyard hotels, catering to all budgets.
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