Prince Zheng Mansion

Prince Zheng Mansion

The Prince Zheng Mansion is a protected cultural heritage site of Beijing.

Destination Introduction

The Prince Zheng Mansion is located in Damucang Hutong, Xicheng District. It was the feudal residence of Jirgalang, one of the founding heroes of the Qing Dynasty.

Jirgalang was the son of Shurhaci, the younger brother of Nurhaci, the founder of the Qing Dynasty. In the ninth year of the Shunzhi reign (1652), he was posthumously honored as Prince Zheng and became one of the famous “Eight Iron-Capped Princes” of the early Qing period. The mansion was first constructed shortly after the Qing entered the Central Plains. There were strict regulations regarding the construction of residences for Qing nobles and officials—for example, building on overly high ground or constructing too many rooms was against the law. Prince Zheng Jirgalang was penalized in the fourth year of the Shunzhi reign (1647) for exceeding regulations with the foundation of his palace buildings and for unauthorized use of bronze lions, turtles, and cranes—he was dismissed from office and fined. After the mansion was completed, successive princes carried out renovations or expansions, the most significant being the expansion of the garden by the eighth-generation prince, Depei. The garden, named “Huayuan” (Garden of Grace), was considered the finest among the imperial gardens in the capital. The thirteenth-generation Prince Zheng, Duanhua, along with Prince Yi, Zaiyuan, and Sushun, were among the “Eight Regent Ministers.” After the “Xinyou Coup,” they were ordered to commit suicide and their properties were confiscated. In the tenth year of the Tongzhi reign, the property was returned to Qingzhi, who had regained his hereditary title, and the mansion once again became the Prince Zheng Mansion.

After the Republic of China was established, the mansion was first mortgaged to the Xishiku Church, and in 1925 it was leased to China University as its campus.

The Prince Zheng Mansion faces south and was originally divided into three sections from east to west. The eastern part, which juts forward, housed the main halls of the mansion; the central and western parts were set back following the curve of the street, with another courtyard in the middle and the western garden at the far end. The most famous part of the site is its garden, named “Huayuan” (Garden of Grace), which was regarded as the best among the imperial gardens in the capital.

The surviving structures include only the eastern section, featuring the street gate with three bays; the main gate has five bays, with carved imperial steps still visible between the front steps; the main hall also has five bays, with remnants of the imperial steps between its platforms; there is also an eastern side building with five bays, while the western side building retains only three bays to the north; at the rear is the main sleeping quarters, with five bays. When used by China University, it was renamed Yixian Hall, a name still in use today. The original rear building and some auxiliary structures have been demolished, and the western garden has been replaced by the Erlonglu Middle School. The Prince Zheng Mansion currently houses the National Ministry of Education and is a key cultural heritage site protected by Beijing Municipality.

Location: Damucang Hutong, Xicheng District Transportation Information

Transportation: Take bus routes 22, 102, or 105 and get off at Xidan Shopping Mall Station; the mansion is located in Damucang Hutong to the west of the station.

Beijing Xicheng District

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal-Level Protected Cultural Heritage Sites in Beijing