Siziwang Banner Prince’s Mansion

Siziwang Banner Prince’s Mansion

The Siziwang Banner Prince’s Mansion is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Qing Dynasty

Address: Wulanqab Plateau, northern foothills of the Yin Mountains, central Inner Mongolia

This is the only surviving Qing-era prince’s mansion of the Zhasake Jinong of Siziwang Banner, under the League of Wulanqab. After the Xinhai Revolution, the Zhasake of Siziwang Banner was conferred the title of prince by both Yuan Shikai's government and Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, later becoming known as the “Sizi Tribe Zhasake Doród Jalirtu Double Princely Banner,” renowned across the vast grasslands of both the north and south of the Gobi.

The mansion is located in Qagan Bolag Sumu, 24 kilometers northeast of Wulanha Town, the seat of Siziwang Banner, adjacent to the left side of the road leading to the Gegentala Grassland tourist site and Sonid Right Banner. The complex consists of the Zhasake Prince’s Mansion, the inner palace, and the government office, covering an area of over 10,000 square meters. It was constructed in the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905) by the then Zhasake prince Lawan Nuorbu during the late Qing Dynasty. The family temple of the mansion was completed in the 34th year of Guangxu (1908). The main structures of the mansion, inner palace, and Zhasake government office are built in traditional Han-style brick-and-tile architecture, featuring exquisitely carved beams and painted pillars. The family temple consists of two Tibetan-style chörten stupas and a stupa, offering an antique charm with unique appeal.

The mansion is situated beside a riverbed covered with tall ephemeral grasses, surrounded by flat, open terrain—a typical scene of the grasslands. The Sizi tribe, as descendants of Hasar, the younger brother of Genghis Khan, was an important branch of the Mongolian Aru tribe during the Qing Dynasty, boasting a long and legendary history. It still preserves distinctive folk culture to this day. This location served as the meeting place for the six banners of the League of Wulanqab during the Qing era, holding significant historical importance.

In May 2013, the Siziwang Banner Prince’s Mansion was designated as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units