Chen Guangheng’s Official Mansion

Chen Guangheng’s Official Mansion

Chen Guangheng’s Official Mansion is a cultural heritage site protected by the Hubei Provincial Government.

The Official Mansion is located in Xiachen Group, Qifang Village, Fenglin Town. It was the former residence of Chen Guangheng, a Hanlin scholar of the Qing Dynasty who had once been the tutor of Emperor Xianfeng when he was still the crown prince. Hence, his residence came to be known as the “Official Mansion.”

Chen Guangheng’s hometown is blessed with beautiful landscapes and a talented population. From ancient times to the present, the area has produced no fewer than a hundred individuals who advanced to the rank of doctor in the civil service or to that of senior colonel in the military, not to mention those engaged in business and work who have spread across the nation.

The Tai’ao Ridge behind the mansion lies on the northern foothills of Poshan Mountain, stretching over three thousand meters. In front of the mansion stands a small hill, oriented from west to east and extending over a li in length, resembling a brush rack—thus named “Brush Rack Mountain.” At the foot of the mountain, a stream runs clear and visible year-round, flowing gently westward. These hills and waters together form the unique “West-Flowing Harbor.”

At the front edge of the spacious courtyard before the mansion lies an oblong paddy field, shaped like a small boat lying sideways. Chen Guangheng named it “Boat Field” based on its shape. Originally, 36 cypress trees were planted along the field ridges, but unfortunately, they were all cut down in the 1950s. Today, a row of thriving metasequoia trees has been planted, growing vigorously and lushly green. At the entrance of the village stands an ancient cypress tree with a girth of six or seven feet and a height of several zhang. Having withstood over 160 years of wind and rain, it stands tall and straight, its branches lush and reaching toward the clouds. Beside the ancient cypress, three young saplings have been newly planted, fresh and vibrant, exuding vitality.

The mansion was built in the 27th year of the Daoguang reign (1848), with its architectural design inspired by styles from the capital. The main hall’s gate stands nine chi high, wide enough for a sedan chair carried by eight people to pass through with ease. On either side of the main gate stand stone drums over one meter tall, placed atop gate piers. The drum surfaces are carved with lions raising their heads to the sky, while the drum faces are engraved with vivid and lifelike images of figures and flowers. Eight stone lions stand symmetrically at the eight corners around the central courtyard of the main hall, each uniquely shaped. Six long stone slabs used as railings are carved on both sides with intertwined dragons, their bodies curved and tails coiled, connected end to end. The carvings are exquisitely crafted, uniquely styled, and distinctive in design.

Looking up at the ceiling of the main hall, the wooden panels are shaped like rippling water, with traces of the original red lacquer still faintly visible. The main and secondary beams are carved with rainbows and soaring dragons, while golden roosters and phoenixes are placed on the left and right where the vertical and horizontal beams meet. In the center of the main hall hangs a large plaque inscribed with the words “Loyalty and Filial Piety Pass Down the Family,” gifted by Wang Ding, who held the titles of Guanglu Grand Master, Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian, and Minister of the Ministry of Punishments. Below the plaque are two wooden couplets that read: “There are no parents in this world who are entirely in the wrong; the rarest thing in the world is true brotherly affection.” The figures depicted along the beams are drawn from historical stories, including “Chasing Han Xin Under the Moon,” “Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles,” “The Peach Garden Oath,” “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage,” “Empress Yue Tattooing Characters on Her Son’s Back,” “Mencius’ Mother Cutting the Loom,” “Wu Song Fighting the Tiger,” and “Rescuing the Lord at Dangyang,” among others. All the wood carvings were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, though remnants can still be seen. The side rooms have a total of 24 wooden doors, each with a cross-shaped pattern at the top of the window lattice and four dragon heads at the corners, totaling ninety-six—truly a world of dragons.

Passing through a side door leads to the left hall, which consists of a three-courtyard, seven-section structure. There are six courtyards alone, eighteen main rooms, and additional side rooms. Above the front hall, just beneath the dome-shaped ceiling panel, hangs a large plaque inscribed with the characters “Duxin” (meaning “Sincere and Fragrant”), facing inward. Its purpose is to remind future generations to treat others with sincerity and conduct themselves with thrift. The floors of all the halls and rooms are made from a mixture of lime, yellow earth, fine sand, and glutinous rice paste, hand-tamped into shape. Even today, they remain smooth as water and shiny as a mirror, staying dry even during the rainy season.

Exiting through the west gate leads to the back garden, where the buildings and plants were destroyed by Japanese artillery fire.

About a li to the west of the village, halfway up the mountain, lies the ancient Xiaquan Temple. The temple is filled with the scent of incense, and visitors come and go ceaselessly. Inside the Buddha hall is displayed an imperial plaque inscribed with “Long Live the Emperor, Long Live, Long Live, Long Live,” written by Chen Guangheng and featuring carvings of nine dragons playing with a pearl. Beside the temple, a clear spring flows year-round, its water of exceptional quality—crystal clear and sweet to the taste.

To admire celebrities, visit famous residences, explore ancient temples, and drink from renowned springs—while enjoying the natural scenery and uncovering the cultural heritage within—is truly a delightful experience. You won’t want to miss a visit here.

Chen Guangheng, styled Hengshu and also known as Qiumen, was a native of Yangxin, Hubei. He passed the imperial examination in 1826 and was appointed as a Hanlin Bachelor. He served as a co-editor and compiler at the Wuying Hall, was officially appointed as an editor in 1832, became a supervisory censor of the Shandong Circuit in 1838, transferred to oversee the Guizhou Circuit in 1839, assisted with the Jingji Circuit, and eventually rose to become an imperial censor in charge of the Household Department. In 1859, he was honored with the title of fourth-rank ministerial counselor. He authored *Collected Works of Yanghe Hall*. Chen was known for his outspokenness and courage in remonstrating with the emperor. In 1839, he petitioned to prohibit officials from engaging in nepotism under the guise of teacher-student relationships. In 1840, he successively petitioned for investigations into the abuses of the corrupt official Sun Chuyong in Hubei and Liu Youyi in Sichuan... More details about Chen Guangheng ++

Qifang Village: Located in the southeastern part of Fenglin Town, Qifang Village was formed in 2002 through the merger of the former Yangqiao and Qifang villages during a tax reform. It covers an area of 15 square kilometers, comprises 12 groups, has 599 households, and a total population of 2,830. The village has 2,760 mu of arable land, including 1,550 mu of paddy fields, 5,325 mu of mountainous land, and 611 mu of water surface. In 2012, the per capita income was 3,719 yuan. Qifang Village has a long cultural history. The Xiachen Group currently houses a well-preserved Qing Dynasty Official Mansion, once home to Chen Guangheng, the teacher of China’s last emperor, Aisin-Gioro Puyi... More details about Qifang Village ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units