Zhengwang Mansion

　　Destination Introduction
　　Zhengwang Mansion is located in Damucang Hutong, Xicheng District. It was the fief of Jirgalang, one of the founding heroes of the Qing Dynasty.

　　　　Destination Introduction

　　　　Zhengwang Mansion is situated in Damucang Hutong, Xicheng District. It was the fief of Jirgalang, one of the founding heroes of the Qing Dynasty.

　　　　Jirgalang was the son of Shurhaci, the younger brother of Nurhaci, the founder of the Qing Dynasty. In 1652, during the reign of Emperor Shunzhi, he was posthumously honored as the Prince of Zheng. He was one of the famous “Eight Iron-Capped Princes” of the early Qing period. The mansion was initially built when the Qing entered the Shanhai Pass. There were strict regulations on the construction of residences for nobles and officials in the Qing Dynasty — for example, building on excessively high ground or adding too many rooms was illegal. Jirgalang was penalized in 1647 for constructing palace foundations that exceeded regulation size and for unauthorized use of bronze lions, turtles, and cranes, which led to his dismissal and a fine. After the mansion was completed, successive princes carried out renovations or expansions, most notably the eighth-generation prince Depei, who expanded the garden. The garden was named “Huayuan” (Garden of Grace) and was considered the finest among all the gardens of noble mansions in the capital. The thirteenth-generation Prince of Zheng, Duanhua, along with Prince Yi Zaiyuan and Sushun, were among the “Eight Regent Ministers.” After the “Xinyou Coup,” they were ordered to commit suicide, their properties confiscated. In the tenth year of the Tongzhi reign, the property was returned to Qingzhi, who had regained his noble title, and the mansion once again became the residence of the Prince of Zheng.

　　　　After the Republic of China was established, the mansion was first mortgaged to Xishiku Church, and in 1925, it was leased to China University as its campus.

　　Zhengwang Mansion faces south and originally had a layout divided into three parts from east to west. The eastern part, which juts out forward, housed the main halls of the mansion; the middle and western sections were set back following the curve of the street, with the middle forming another courtyard and the western section containing the garden. The most famous part of the site is its garden, known as “Huayuan” (Garden of Grace), regarded as the best noble garden in the capital.
　　The surviving structures are only in the eastern part, including the street gate with three bays; the main gate has five bays, with carved imperial steps still in place; the main hall also has five bays with remnants of the carved steps; there is also an eastern side building with five bays, while the western side building only retains three bays on the northern side; at the very end is the main sleeping quarters, also five bays wide. When used by China University, it was renamed Yixian Hall, and the name is still in use today. The original rear building and some auxiliary structures have been demolished, and the western garden has been rebuilt as the Erlonglu Middle School. Zhengwang Mansion is now the site of the National Ministry of Education and is a key cultural relic protected by Beijing Municipality.

　　 Location: Located in Damucang Hutong, Xicheng District Transportation Information

　　Transportation: Take bus No. 22, 102, or 105 to Xidan Shopping Mall Station, then walk west into Damucang Hutong.