Prince Chun’s Mansion

　　Destination Introduction
　　Prince Chun’s Mansion is situated on the north bank of Houhai in Xicheng District. It was bestowed in the 14th year of the Guangxu reign (1888) upon Yixin, the seventh son of Emperor Daoguang and father of Emperor Guangxu, as his new princely residence. The original Prince Chun’s Mansion (the Southern Mansion, now located at Dongli, Taipinghu, Xicheng District) was the birthplace of Emperor Guangxu. According to Qing regulations, it was elevated to the status of a palace, so a new residence—also known as the Northern Mansion—was granted.

　　　　The mansion faces south and features an expansive layout divided into two main parts: the western section is the mansion garden (now the former residence of Soong Ching-ling), while the eastern section is the main body of the mansion. It is a cultural heritage site under the protection of Xicheng District.

　　　　The eastern part is divided into three routes: east, central, and west. The central route is the main architectural complex, extending from south to north. The street-facing gate has five bays. Upon entering the outer courtyard, there is a second gate, which serves as the official entrance to the mansion with five bays. Beyond this lies the main hall, the Yinan Hall, also with five bays, flanked by five-bay wing rooms on the east and west. Behind the main hall is a self-contained courtyard complex, accessible through a three-bay hallway. The front features a five-bay principal room with adjacent rooms, which, according to the regulations, would be part of the inner quarters. At the rear is the back enclosed building, with nine bays, used for ceremonies during various celebrations. The inner quarters served as a shrine for deities, Buddhas, and ancestors. The eastern route mainly consists of family ancestral halls, Buddhist shrines, and ancillary buildings. The courtyard outside the eastern wall was used as the mansion’s stable area. The western route contains two parallel courtyard complexes that served as the activity center of the Prince Chun Mansion. The main structure is the Baohan Hall, or the Grand Study. Behind it lies a courtyard with the main hall called Jiusi Hall, which served as the residence of the imperial governess, followed by Siqian Hall, the living quarters of the princess consort. Additionally, there is the Renzhen Hall, a small study for the princes, and other supporting structures. The Southern Mansion is located at Dongli, Taipinghu, Xicheng District, originally the residence of Prince Rong. The mansion faces south and is divided into central, eastern, western sections, and a garden. Currently, the central section has a three-bay mansion gate, flanked by bat-wing shaped screen walls, with interior east and west gates leading to the respective courtyards. A newly built auditorium exists in the central section, along with a preserved two-courtyard siheyuan. The eastern courtyard is relatively well-preserved, while most ancient buildings in the western section have been demolished.

　　　　After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, extensive renovations were carried out on Prince Chun’s Mansion, making it the best-preserved princely mansion in Beijing.

　　　　Location: On the north bank of Houhai, Xicheng District

　　　　Area: 8,848 square meters  Transportation Information
　　Transportation: Take bus 5 or 819 to Guozishi, then walk south along Houhai Alley.

　　 Beijing, Xicheng District

Prince Chun’s Mansion is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.