Former Residence of Hu Xueyan

Former Residence of Hu Xueyan

The former residence of Hu Xueyan is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

The former residence of Hu Xueyan is located at No. 18 Yuanbao Street in the West Lake Scenic Area of Hangzhou, covering an area of 10.8 mu. It was built in the 11th year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1872) at a cost of 100,000 taels of silver, and is known as "the foremost residence of China’s wealthiest merchants."

In 1903, Hu Xueyan’s descendants used the mansion to pay off debts to Wen Yu, the Minister of Punishments and Associate Grand Secretary, and later transferred it to the Jiang family. Since then, it gradually fell into disrepair.

The ancient residence is a typical example of Ming and Qing courtyard architecture. After extensive restoration efforts by the Hangzhou government, it was reopened to the public in 2001.

The entire residence consists of thirteen buildings and Zhigarden, featuring pavilions, towers, waterside pavilions, and secluded corridors. Both the architecture and furniture were meticulously arranged, using large amounts of precious timber and fine carvings. The residence also houses calligraphic stone engravings by renowned artists such as Dong Qichang, Zheng Banqiao, Tang Bohu, and Wen Zhengming, as well as two specially custom-made mahogany sedan chairs for Hu Xueyan. Sitting inside them feels like being in a small pavilion.

The entire residence is a treasure trove of cultural relics, resembling a folk art museum. Among its features is a long inscription that reads: “The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan displays carved beams, brick reliefs, multi-layered towers, and majestic gardens that embody the finest of Jiangnan-style landscaping and the ingenuity of Wu-Yue culture. Its wealth rivaled that of royalty, dominating half the region. As the old saying goes, wealth rarely lasts three generations—but even for a red-topped merchant with his cunning calculations, it did not even last a decade. Arrogance and extravagance, forgetting one's place, led to his downfall. A lesson worth heeding.”

Transportation: No. 18 Yuanbao Street. You can take bus routes 8, 13, 308, or the Y6 line and get off at Gulou Station.

Hu Xueyan, the Red-Topped Merchant (1823–1885), also known as Hu Guangyong, was a late Qing Huizhou merchant holding the official rank of Second-Class. As a prominent businessman of the period, Hu Xueyan assisted in founding the Fuzhou Shipyard, the Shanghai Procurement Bureau, and established the Hu Qingyu Tang Snow Memorial Pharmacy. His business philosophy emphasized “Heaven as innate wisdom, the foundation of commerce; Earth as acquired cultivation, supported by integrity; and People as benevolence and righteousness, understanding when to give and take, adhering to the principle that 'a noble man loves wealth, but acquires it through proper means.'” However, the once immensely influential Hu Xueyan ultimately ended in bankruptcy, spending his remaining years on the meager income from Hu Qingyu Tang. From a broader historical perspective, Hu... More details on Hu Xueyan++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Zhejiang Province