Guo Family Manor

Guo Family Manor

Guo Family Manor is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Guo Family Manor

Guo Family Manor is located in the center of Guantao Village, Guantao Township, Wu'an City. It was built in the 25th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1845) and is a typical example of local residential architecture. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

The manor has six courtyards with over 80 rooms, covering an area of more than 1,600 square meters. The six courtyards are divided into two parts: the South Courtyard and the North Courtyard, each consisting of three courtyards. All buildings feature flush gable roofs covered with grey tiles, except for the main house and side rooms in the north courtyard of the South Courtyard, which are two-storeyed, while the rest are single-storey. The front courtyard and east courtyard of the South Courtyard share a consistent layout: the entrance gate is located at the southeast corner, the south wing has four bays in width and two in depth, the side rooms each have two bays in width and one in depth, with a one-step veranda extending forward, and the main house has five bays in width and three in depth (with corridors both in the front and back). The front eaves (the rear eaves of the south wing) are fitted with lattice windows—central bays have latticed doors, the secondary and side bays have latticed windows set in threshold walls, and the window grilles are carved with floral patterns, antique motifs, auspicious birds, and mythical beasts. The stone sills of the threshold walls are carved with stories of the Eight Immortals. The West Courtyard has two rows of courtyards; the front main house has five bays in width and two in depth, supported by a five-rafter beam system paired with a single-step beam, and the eaves use one-tier two-lift variant bracket sets. The side rooms each have three bays in width and one in depth, using a five-rafter beam system. The rear courtyard features three sides of two-storey buildings. The South Courtyard served as the residence of the Guo family’s owners. Most of the buildings in the three courtyards of the North Courtyard have been modified; originally there were 30 rooms, which were used to house servants and other lower-status members of the Guo household.

Guo Family Manor is large in scale and finely carved, making it representative of the region.

Guantao Village: Guantao Village is the seat of the Guantao Township government. It lies to the east of the Nanliu River and west of the Xiaomotianling Mountain Range in the south. It is situated by the clear waters of the river, boasts rich natural scenery, and has a long history. The village is small but culturally rich, nestled between rolling hills and shaded by green trees, with flowing streams nearby. It is about 15 kilometers from the county town, and in 1992, a new Wu-Zuo Highway was built passing west of the village. The village has 450 households and a population of 1,500, all of whom are Han Chinese. It has 1,143 mu of arable land, including 750 mu of sloping dry land and 12,000 mu of mountainous area, as well as forested land… More detailed information about Guantao Village++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province