Former Residence of Feng Zicai

Former Residence of Feng Zicai

The former residence of Feng Zicai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former residence of Feng Zicai, a renowned anti-French general of the late Qing Dynasty, is located in the northern part of Qinzhou City, facing south. Built in 1875, it sits atop three hills, surrounded by walls. The courtyard houses a forest of steles inscribed with elegant and vigorous calligraphy. The entire residence exudes an ancient charm, with a rustic and unique character.

Also known as Gongbao Mansion, Feng Zicai’s former residence is located in Baishuitang Village, Qinzhou Town, Qinzhou City. It served as his residence after retirement. The Gongbao Mansion covers a total area of over 150,000 square meters, with a built-up area of 2,020 square meters. It includes three small hills resembling crouching tigers, locally referred to as the “Crouching Tiger Land.” The site is enclosed by high walls, within which there are three main courtyards, each divided into three large rooms, and each large room further divided into three smaller rooms, totaling nine rooms and 27 smaller rooms, forming a distinctive “three rows of nine” architectural layout. The construction used high-quality materials, with beams, columns, doors, windows, plaques, and couplets mostly made from precious rosewood. The relief carvings are finely crafted, the murals are brightly colored, and the overall design is dignified, simple, and rigorous.

The residence covers a total area of 152,200 square meters, with the main building area being 2,020 square meters. It features a courtyard-style layout, facing south, and consists of three rows, nine buildings, and 27 rooms, all constructed with raised-beam timber-framed brick structures. The architecture emphasizes sturdiness and practicality, without extravagant decoration, yet showcases high quality and craftsmanship. Additional structures include ancestral temples, pagodas, halls, stables, fishponds, wells, gardens, and orchards, all enclosed by walls. The scale is grand, and a newly built forest of steles is located on the eastern side of the courtyard, featuring exquisite and vigorous calligraphy with bold strokes, forming a scenic attraction. The residence grounds encompass three hills, one water body, and one field, and include structures such as a hexagonal pavilion, Sanpochu, Zhenxiang Tower, a study, a Tiger Whip Pagoda, and a vegetable garden. It represents a typical example of southern Qing Dynasty residential architecture complexes, characterized by a simple and elegant artistic style.

The residence was built in the first year of the Guangxu reign (1875 AD), covering an area of 64,350 square meters. It served as the headquarters from which Feng Zicai reorganized the Cui Army before marching to the front lines against the French. The residence faces north and is constructed with brick and wood. It includes three small hills, surrounded by walls. The building is divided into three sections, each with three structures, and each structure in three styles, forming the classic “three rows of nine” ancient-style layout. The structure spans 40.5 meters in width and 45 meters in depth. The main building has three bays, using a hybrid beam and post-and-lintel framework, with a flush-gable roof covered in gray tile cylinders.

Transportation

Within the city, you can take Bus No. 6 to get there.

Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Qinzhou City, Guangxi

Feng Zicai (July 29, 1818 – September 18, 1903) was a renowned anti-French general of the late Qing Dynasty. His courtesy name was Nangan, and his pseudonym was Cuiting. He was of Han ethnicity and a native of Qinzhou, Guangxi. During the Xianfeng era, he fought against the Taiping Rebellion under the command of Xiang Rong and Zhang Guoliang. In the Tongzhi era, he was promoted several times to become the Governor-General of Guangxi. At the outbreak of the Sino-French War, he was reinstated as Assistant Commander for Military Affairs Beyond the Guangxi Border, where he decisively defeated the French forces at Zhennanguan, captured Wenyuan and Langson, and inflicted heavy losses on the French commander Negrier. For his achievements, he was appointed Governor-General of Yunnan. During the First Sino-Japanese War, he was assigned to guard Zhenjiang, and he ultimately served as Governor-General of Guizhou. Over his more than 40 years of military service, he remained as frugal and unpretentious as ever. He was posthumously honored with the title “Brave and Resolute.”

Early Years: Suppression of the Taiping Rebellion

1818... More information about Feng Zicai ++

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