Prince Zhuang’s Mansion

　　Prince Zhuang’s Mansion was originally located north of Xisi in Taipingcang, extending north to Maguan状元 Lane.

　　The fifth son of Emperor Taizong, Shuose, was granted the title of Prince Chengze in the first year of the Shunzhi reign. In the eighth year of Shunzhi, he was promoted to prince for his military achievements. Shuose’s eldest son, Boguoduo, inherited the princely title in the twelfth year of Shunzhi (1655) and changed the title to Prince Zhuang. All subsequent inheritors held the title of Prince Zhuang. Prince Zhuang Zaixun once set up a boxing platform in the mansion. During the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance, the mansion was burned down. In the 1920s, warlord Li Chun and his brother Xin of the Beiyang clique purchased the site of Prince Zhuang’s Mansion, demolished the buildings, and constructed residences on the land, naming the area Ping’anli.

　　The brick carving of the “Ping’anli” gate plaque is preserved at the Beijing Xicheng District Cultural Relics Bureau. Later, the area was developed into Ping’anli Street (which was incorporated into Di’anmen West Street). The site was divided into northern and southern sections. Today, the area north of the western entrance to Taipingcang is the former front section of Prince Zhuang’s Mansion.