Prince Gong's Mansion 恭王府
- Beijing's best preserved villa
- Located in the beautiful Back Lakes' district
- Built for He Shen
- Model for the mansion Cao Xueqin's book A Dream of Red Mansions
- Bestowed by the Emperor Xianfeng to his brother Gong
Prince Gong's Mansion (恭王府) is the best-preserved royal mansion in Beijing.
Located north of Beihai Lake - or east of Qianhai Lake - in the Back Lakes area, Prince Gong's Mansion is a sprawling campus of buildings and gardens, pavilions, and a lake--and a peek at a world long gone.
The Mansion was built in the late 1700's for the corrupt Manchu official He Shen. The same corruption that saw him promoted and accrue tremendous riches also sealed his fate: He Shen was executed in 1799 for his excesses.
Fifty years later, Emperor Xianfeng bestowed the Mansion on his brother Prince Gong--and hence the name.
In the 20th century, the compound was used by nearby Furen Catholic University, and later by Beijing Normal University and the Chinese Music Academy.
During the harrowing days of the Cultural Revolution it was even used for a time as a factory. At long last, in 1982, it was named a Chinese National Cultural Heritage Site. Prince Gong's Mansion opened its doors to tourists in the 1990s.
Prince Gong's Mansion Access
If you are in a group of 2-3 or more, take a cab as the nearest subway stop is a fairly long walk. The closest station to the Back Lakes area is Jishuitan Station. From there you can stroll your way over. The surrounding parks and lakes are beautiful.
Prince Gong's Mansion is open from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Admission is 20 yuan.
Prince Gong's Mansion
17 Qianhai W St, Xicheng, Beijing, China
Tel: 010 6618 0573
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