Taibao Mansion

Taibao Mansion

Taibao Mansion is a cultural tourism attraction.

Taibao Mansion: This is a memorial temple built for Zhu Ying, the Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent during the Ming Dynasty. Constructed in the first year of the Jiajing reign (1552), it faces south and features a brick-and-timber structure. Covering an area of 480 square meters with a built-up area of 340 square meters, it has three bays in width and extends through three courtyards in depth. The first section is the gate tower, flanked on both sides by eight-shaped decorative walls inscribed with poems by Zhu Ying, the Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent from the Ming Dynasty, extolling the local scenery and culture. The gate tower has a hip-and-gable roof, with a gourd-shaped vase ornament on the ridge and shark and pottery lion ornaments at the ends, featuring upturned eaves. The central horizontal beam under the main eaves is embossed with the three large characters “Taibao Mansion.” Below the beam is a carved lintel depicting two dragons playing with a pearl, while the sides are adorned with either finely carved or clay sculptures depicting ancient stories and legendary tales. The door panels are painted with door gods, and stone drums stand on either side of the entrance. Hanging on both sides are relief couplets: “Amidst the southeast’s literary spirit rise the Brush Peak and Heavenly Horse; from the old family’s annals spring renowned officials and virtuous scholars.” Inside the gate tower, seven antique plaques hang from the upper part of the inner eaves, inscribed with titles such as “Inspector of the Ministry of Revenue,” “Governor of Liangguang,” “Censorate of the Inner Capital,” “Presents of the Minister of Justice,” “Imperially Appointed Judicial Secretary,” “Presents of the Honorary Minister of Civil Affairs,” and “Appointed Honorary Minister of Uprightness.” The middle hall displays two plaques: “Pillar of the State, Distinguished Family,” inscribed by Chen Xianzhang, and “Home of Loyal Courtiers,” inscribed by Zhang Tingyu. The rear hall houses a portrait of Zhu Ying, alongside the couplet: “Father and son once renowned, their names inscribed on the Wild Goose Pagoda; grandfather, father, and son, feasting joyously to the sound of deer.” The couplet on the hall pillars reads: “Achievements shone through three dynasties, establishing virtue and merit, two literary figures the people relied on for protection; descendants flourishing for a hundred generations, worshipping and offering sacrifices, thousand-year rites enduring through time.”