Xielin Grand Mansion

Xielin Grand Mansion

Xielin Grand Mansion is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xielin Grand Mansion (Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit)

Era: Qing Dynasty

Announcement Date: March 16, 2005

Xielin Grand Mansion is a large-scale, traditional enclosed courtyard residence located in Shuangtian Village, Xikeng Town, Wencheng County. It was initially built in the 14th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1888) by a member of the Zhou family, Zhou Ming?. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the mansion was constructed with two-meter-high stone walls to guard against attacks by bandits and mercenaries, giving it certain unique features.

The overall orientation of Xielin Grand Mansion is east-facing and west-opening. Along the central axis, it consists of a drying yard, a gate tower, a front building, a main building, and a rear courtyard. On the north and south sides of the front courtyard are embroidery towers, while the middle courtyard has wing rooms on both sides, and the rear courtyard features a rear wing room on the northern side. The front façade’s embroidery tower is equipped with a decorative carved balcony. The mansion covers a total area of approximately 2,600 square meters, with a construction area of about 1,832 square meters. The main gate is styled as a three-peaked memorial archway, constructed from bluestone and polished bricks. Structures such as the front hall, main hall, and wing rooms are mostly double-eaved, gable-and-hip roof buildings, utilizing a mix of raised-beam and through-tenon framing systems. The beam structures are distinctive to the region, featuring thick timber materials. The lintels, bracket arms, spandrels, doors, and windows are all exquisitely carved. The interiors commonly use well-crafted rammed earth. Both the front and rear courtyards are paved with bluestone. The eaves extend far out, the gable overhangs are long, the roof is covered with small grey tiles laid in a combination of yin and yang patterns, and includes drip tiles and cover tiles.

The layout of Xielin Grand Mansion retains traditional characteristics—featuring multiple bays and spacious courtyards. Those inside do not feel a sense of mystery, depth, or oppression, but rather enjoy a strong sense of warmth and familiarity. A water courtyard is situated between the front building and the main building, serving as the heart of the entire compound. Mountain spring water is channeled into it, with a central stone-paved pathway allowing people to walk directly from the front building to the main building, or to move around via the surrounding corridors, further highlighting the joy of daily life.

The architecture of Xielin Grand Mansion balances complexity with simplicity. Its wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings are finely crafted, yet the overall style remains largely simple and unadorned, reflecting the understated and peaceful nature of Wencheng’s residential architecture. It is a typical representation of mountain residences in southern Zhejiang.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units