Xiangyang Prince’s Mansion

Xiangyang Prince’s Mansion

Located in the heart of ancient Xiangyang City, Xiangyang Prince’s Mansion is a key cultural relic protection unit of Hubei Province. It was first built in 1436 AD. In the 14th year of the Chongzhen reign during the Ming Dynasty, when Zhang Xianzhong captured Xiangyang, he set fire to the residence of the Fifth Prince, Xiangxian Prince, out of dissatisfaction with the feudal rule of the emperor, leading to the destruction of Xiangyang Prince’s Mansion. In 1993, the Xiangfan municipal government invested once again to rebuild the site in an effort to restore the ancient city’s appearance. The reconstructed Xiangyang Prince’s Mansion stands tall and majestic, exuding grandeur that attracts visitors from China and abroad.

The Xiang Prince was Zhu Zhanzan, the fifth son of Emperor Renzong of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaochi. In the first year of the Zhengtong reign (1436 AD), the prince’s mansion was relocated from Changsha to the southeastern corner of Xiangyang City and rebuilt, covering an area of approximately 40,000 square meters. It included three main halls, five rear chambers, three main gates, three ceremonial gates, and 18 side rooms on each side, making for a grand and imposing architectural complex.

In the 14th year of the Chongzhen reign (1641 AD), the entire mansion was destroyed, with only the screen wall surviving to this day. Standing 7.6 meters high, 26.2 meters wide, and 1.6 meters thick, the wall is built in imitation of wooden structure, with three bays, all edged with white marble. The central section features the carving “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” while the left and right sections depict giant dragons soaring amid “seas and flowing clouds.” The surrounding frame is finely carved with 64 small dragons in various poses. The screen wall is solemn in design, richly carved, bold in style, vivid and majestic, making it one of the precious artworks among stone carvings.

On the site of the old prince’s mansion, a new main gate and main hall have been constructed, displaying cultural relics unearthed in Xiangfan City and its surrounding counties.

The Green Screen Wall is the front screen wall of the Ming Dynasty’s Xiang Prince’s Mansion. It earned the name “Green Screen Wall” due to the verdant color of its stone. It consists of three parts: the base, the body, and the top, and is divided into three sections, each framed with white marble blocks carved with dragons, making them strikingly prominent.

The Green Screen Wall is located in the southeastern corner of Xiangyang City, Xiangyang. It is named for being entirely built from bluish-green stone materials. In the first year of the Zhengtong reign (1436 AD), Xiang Prince Zhu Zhanzan, who was transferred from Changsha to this region, constructed his palace, and this wall served as the screen wall in front of the prince’s mansion at that time. In the 14th year of the Chongzhen reign (1641 AD), the entire mansion was destroyed, with only the screen wall remaining. Standing 7.6 meters high, 26.2 meters wide, and 1.6 meters thick, the wall is built in imitation of wooden structure, with three bays, all edged with white marble. The central section features the carving “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” while the left and right sections depict giant dragons soaring amid “seas and flowing clouds.” The surrounding frame is finely carved with 64 small dragons in various poses. The screen wall is solemn in design, richly carved, bold in style, vivid and majestic, making it one of the precious artworks among stone carvings.

The wall is made by carving and piecing together green sandstone blocks featuring relief images of dragons and sea waves. The combined wall is majestic, with the main panel, base, top, and ridge all carved with over a hundred dragons—some over 5 meters long, and the smallest just over ten centimeters. The dragons are carved so vividly and naturally that they seem ready to leap off the wall. The central panel depicts two giant dragons soaring through the air, competing to play with a jade pearl 33 centimeters in diameter, while the left and right panels each show a dragon flying toward the center, as if trying to snatch the pearl. The entire wall surface appears shrouded in misty seas with dragons leaping fiercely. The Green Screen Wall is one of the four major surviving screen walls in China and ranks as the second largest. It is also a uniquely distinctive piece.

Zhu Zhanzan (April 4, 1406 – February 18, 1478) was the fifth son of Emperor Renzong of the Ming Dynasty. He was titled the Xiang Prince in the 22nd year of the Yongle reign (1424 AD) and was known for his vigilance and commendable reputation. In the 4th year of the Xuande reign (1429 AD), he was enfeoffed in Changsha. In the first year of the Zhengtong reign (1436 AD), he was moved to Xiangyang (present-day Xiangyang, Hubei).

When Emperor Yingzong was detained in the north, among all the princes, Zhu Zhanzan was the eldest and most virtuous, earning widespread expectations. The Empress Dowager ordered the retrieval of the Xiang State golden tally to summon him to the palace, but this was not carried out. Zhu Zhanzan submitted a petition, requesting the establishment of the eldest imperial son as heir, appointing Prince Cheng to govern the state, and recruiting brave and wise individuals to welcome the emperor back. By the time the petition arrived, Emperor Jing had already been enthroned for several days. When Emperor Yingzong returned to the capital, he resided... More details about Zhu Zhanzan ++

Emperor Renzong of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaochi (1378–1425), was the fourth emperor of the Ming Dynasty and the eldest son of Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Di. He ascended the throne in August of the 22nd year of the Yongle reign (1424 AD) and changed the era name to “Hongxi” the following year.

Zhu Gaochi was naturally dignified, composed, and prudent in speech and conduct, with a love for reading. His refined and benevolent character won the favor of his imperial grandfather, Emperor Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang). However, his heavier build led to relatively weaker health. Although his reign was short, Emperor Gaochi ruled with leniency and openness, focusing on developing production and allowing the people to rest. He pardoned many former officials of Emperor Jianwen and redressed numerous unjust cases... More details about Zhu Gaochi ++