Fuqing Mansion

Fuqing Mansion

Fuqing Mansion is a cultural heritage site protected by Jiangbei District.

Fuqing Mansion was built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty and was the former residence of Chen Jing, the Minister of Ceremonies in Nanjing. It is located at No. 29 Faquan Road, Cicheng.

The residence is divided into two sections — front and rear — with two side wings. Both the main gate and the inner gate face east. There are wing rooms in front of and behind the main gate, reverse drum-shaped stones, and a screen wall on the southern courtyard wall. The front courtyard is partitioned into three spatial sections by a dividing wall.

Between the front and rear sections, there is a large central courtyard, with two partition walls dividing it into three parts. On both sides are side towers, while the rear tower has seven bays. Above the first floor of the rear tower, all areas except the central bay feature boat-shaped ceilings. There is also a long, narrow rear section, with a central rear gate on the back wall.

The front section has nine bays in total — the middle five form the main hall, with side towers on either side. The hall structure features five pillars, a lower eave with nine rafters, and an upper eave with seven rafters. It has two layers of caisson ceilings with grass-patterned panels. The main beams use six-rafter and five-rafter beams, and instead of a third beam, curved paired beams support the ridge pillar. Below hang decorative brackets, all shaped like flower baskets. An additional false roof layer is constructed above the main beams, creating a double-eave effect, with rafters arranged in both upper and lower tiers.

The rear tower also features double eaves, with seven pillars. The upper eave has ten rafters, and the lower eave has one additional rafter. Central pillars are used, and the tower includes open corridors. Apart from the central bay, the top of the tower is fitted with boat-shaped ceilings adorned with floral panels.

The brick and stone carvings of this building are rich and elaborate. The main gate has reverse drum-shaped stones decorated entirely with antique motifs. The gate pillars are carved with designs such as dragons chasing pearls and phoenixes playing with gems. The inner gate features similar carvings. The parapet wall of the front hall is adorned with brick and stone carvings depicting figures, horses, pavilions, and more.

The parapet wall of the rear tower is also carved with images of horses, cranes, deer, lions, elephants, and pine trees.

The lotus-petal-shaped bases of the windows and doors are also exquisitely carved.

This residence was built in the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the Qing Dynasty, holding significant preservation value. Scholars from both China and abroad who study ancient architecture often visit to take photos. In 1994, professors from Ningbo University accompanied American Professor Aywell from the University of California and Japanese Professor Rokuta Takahiro from Waseda University to visit and film Fuqing Mansion, where they gave it very high praise. Zhejiang Television and Ningbo Television have both filmed here, featuring it in their programs “Ancient Architecture of Zhejiang” and “Ancient Architecture of Ningbo.”