Chai Mansion

Chai Mansion

Ancient architectural complex. Located on the northeastern shore of Yuqiu Lake in Gaotang County. According to the *Gaotang County Annals*, Chai Mansion was first built during the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty as the private residence of Chai Rong, the fifth-generation descendant of Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, and was later destroyed in wars and bandit raids. In the 14th year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1501), postmaster Zhang Tingwei rebuilt it as a post station for Gaotang, called the “Yuqiu Post Station.” It then had a main hall and rear hall, each with five rooms, seven east-side wing rooms, ten horse stables on both the east and west sides, a ceremonial hall with three rooms, and one drum tower, along with a three-room Horse God Temple on the east. The post station housed 60 relay horses, 30 grooms, and 2 placard writers, indicating its scale at the time. It was later renovated in the 5th year of the Jiaqing reign (1800) and the 15th year of the Daoguang reign (1835). During their southern tours, Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty stayed here.

The current Chai Mansion was rebuilt in 1999 on the original site. Surrounded by lake water on all sides, it features garden-style architecture. The front gate, central hall, rear sleeping quarters, and corridors are all designed in the architectural style of the Song Dynasty. The entire building complex covers an area of 938.48 square meters and is divided into eastern and western courtyards, with a garden in the west and Chai Mansion in the east. Chai Mansion is a two-courtyard complex; upon entering the pond, you reach the main hall, which has five bays, a hip-and-gable roof, gray tiles, matching ornamental ridge animals, appropriate Song-style paintings, flying eaves and upturned corners, giving it an ancient charm. The courtyard has corridors, pavilions, terraces, and a pond on the east and west sides. The rear courtyard houses the rear sleeping hall, also with five bays and a hip-and-gable roof, along with three bays each for the east and west wing rooms. The west side is a standalone courtyard, connected to the east courtyard via a corner gate. Passing through the vermilion gate, you are greeted by an antique-style opera stage with three bays, featuring a Song-style hip-and-gable structure, with one side room on each side. This courtyard serves as a venue for drama enthusiasts.