Weng Family Mansions

　　The Weng Family Mansions are located in Mubian Model Village, Duanfen Town, Taishan City. They consist of five mansions built in the early 1930s by overseas Chinese from the Weng family who had returned from Hong Kong...

　　The fields around the village are lush green, and the air carries the fresh scent of newly turned soil. The Weng Family Mansions emerge partially hidden among the dense woods, while a murmuring stream flows beside them, adding a serene and tranquil charm to the site.

　　Approaching the Weng Family Mansions, the first structure that catches your eye is the Yushu Mansion, adorned with an array of uniquely shaped windows — circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, oblong, and olive-shaped — arranged in a seemingly casual yet deliberate distribution. These not only ensure excellent lighting but also create a strong visual impact through their innovative use as exterior decorative elements. Passing through the arched gateway of the outer courtyard and stepping along a mossy path into the main hall, you are immediately struck by the bright, spacious, and cool interior that refreshes the senses. Like the other two main buildings, Yushu Mansion has three floors, with the ground floor serving as a basement living area. Here, you can find old and unfamiliar items such as “grain mills” and “stone pestles,” filling the space with a rich rural atmosphere. Unlike traditional layouts, the arrangement of halls and bedrooms breaks conventions by ingeniously using corridors to separate rooms and halls, making each space independent and distinct. Being there, one can't help but admire the foresight of the mansion's owners — even after decades of weathering, the building retains a remarkably modern feel.

　　Moving up to the third floor, a striking half-cylinder balcony juts out, offering an excellent spot to admire the rural scenery at dawn and dusk. Atop the roof sits a traditional Chinese pavilion with red pillars and green tiles. When night falls and all is quiet, the pavilion becomes a delightful gathering place for family — sharing warmth and joy. Or, if you prefer solitude, a pot of tea, a guzheng, and the beauty of moonlight offer a serene and lofty experience. The design of the pavilion captures the essence of classical Chinese culture, lending an elegant refinement to the otherwise luxurious Yushu Mansion. Hence, locals refer to it as the Liu Bei Mansion.

　　The best-preserved of the group is the Wowen Mansion (also known as the Guan Yu Mansion). Towering palm trees, as tall as the mansion itself, sway gently in front of the courtyard, bearing witness to its storied history. Starting from the second floor, the main walls are constructed with high-quality red bricks. Walking up the semicircular steps, you’ll notice the entrance features Ionic columns, a hallmark of ancient Greek architectural style. The sealed large dome at the top resembles the helmet of an ancient warrior, hence the name “Guan Yu Mansion.” The gate’s design and decoration are one of the mansion’s highlights — a 3-meter-wide round teak door inlaid with multicolored imported glass arranged in a cross pattern. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and when morning light shines on it, the door gleams like gemstones, illuminating the entire hall. As this grand colorful glass door slowly opens, it seems to transport you back in time: dozens of skilled craftsmen carefully assembling the just-imported stained glass according to foreign blueprints, while neighboring buildings are under intense construction — workers gathered around the master of the Weng family, trying to interpret the architectural features of the foreign designs... As time passes, their hard work and ingenuity have left us with a rich and splendid heritage of overseas Chinese culture.

　　The crisp chirping of birds breaks the post-rain tranquility of the woods, while dogs bark and chickens crow in front of the Xiangzhong Mansion — a scene full of rustic charm. Also known as the “Zhang Fei Mansion,” Xiangzhong Mansion differs from the previous two in that its main entrance on the staircase platform is topped with a semi-cylindrical structure integrated into the main building. The third floor features circular windows decorated with large glass panels, highlighting the Weng Family Mansions’ emphasis on façade architecture. This design gives each of the three main buildings a distinctive exterior and sets them apart from other Western-style villas built by overseas Chinese in Taishan during the same period. A Western-style column-supported dome observation tower sits atop the roof, presenting a majestic presence reminiscent of the awe-inspiring gaze of Zhang Fei.

　　“Two fishing rods at sunset on a creek bridge, half a wisp of smoke amid willow shadows.” The golden glow after the rain bathes the Weng Family Mansions, while nearby homes emit curling wisps of cooking smoke. An elderly man leads his ox home slowly, and the mellow notes of a flute sing the dreams of the Weng Family Mansions...

　　Address: Mubian Model Village, Duanfen Town, Taishan City