Former residence of Xueyan Hu, Zhejiang, China
4.5 (214 reviews) Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Spent Ranking #10 in Hangzhou Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
Far more than just a historical mansion..
3rd day @ Hangzhou. Door ticket: RMB 20, Tour guide: RMB 80 (scenic explanation) Transport: Bus 801, in front of hotel SSAW. TIPS: a) Provide free tour guide at scheduled time. First session is 10am. Aside from visiting a well-preserved Qing's mansion, what really touched my heart is the life story of Hu Xue Yan... what has made his success and as well his fall. He once before is the richest man in Jiang Nan. If you pay enough attention on how he has designed and planned his residence, we can know that he is a highly ambitious politician on powers pursued ... how to live with a luxury and tasteful life. Hu Xue Yan is a very creative and innovative man as well. The residence has adopted a replaceable window panels system, modern tiles laying pattern and etc. Fantastic and educating trip. Do engaged a tour guide if u miss out the free service one. U will never able to learn so much without the detail explanation from them.
Address
No.18 Yuanbao Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 310002 China
Working hours
Monday : 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday : 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday : 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday : 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday : 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday : 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday : 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Current local date and time now
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 13:28
User Ratings
4.5 based on (214 reviews)
Reviews
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4Celsius2 5:00 PM Jul 23, 2015
Restored mansion of a very rich man
After the busy, noisy sights and sounds of the West Lake, Hu Xue Yan Mansion is a lovely side trip when visiting Huangzhou. Hu Xue Yan (胡雪岩) is a very rich merchant in China during the late Qing dynasty. Hu’s business empire range from tea, salt, real estate, shipping, banking and firearms. Hu’s mansion reflects his style in business: the place is hidden away from praying eye, but behind closed doors, you will find every luxury money can buy at the time. The address is 18 Yuan Bao Jie Shangcheng Qu (杭州市上城区元宝街18号). Is within walkable distance (10 minutes) beyond the old street. You will walk through a narrow lane with high walls on each side until you reach a small wooden door on the left hand side. Once you paid a 20 RMB entrance fee, you are free to explore the place at your own pace. If you getting an English tour guide, get them to explain the life history of the owner or do some research beforehand on Hu and you may understand why this house was important to him and how it related to different stages of his life. Things we find it interesting: • Brass door knob in the shape of a hand holding a ring, this symbolise power • Design of the various garden and pavilions, this will keep women of the house (Hu have 13 wives living in the same house) locked behind closed doors with no little contact with the outside world. A wife’s popularity determines the location of her room in the mansion. • Worship of kitchen goddess in the Small kitchen and large kitchen • Brass water tanks used for putting out fires in courtyards • Opera theatre Hu built for his mother in the middle of the lake • The maid’s room • Herb store near the exit, this is one of Hu’s pride and joy beside the bank. Note: the other branches of the herb store still in trading today, its on the main old street (Song street) Toilet is western style toilet, very clean.
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4Ralpo Stankic 5:00 PM Jul 9, 2018
Historical immersion
I am a lover of Chinese culture, history and architecture. Contrary to the commonly mistaken understanding of Chinese architecture, the style and floor planning of buildings has changed in China over the centuries. Through the different styles we can immerse in different historical period of China and appreciate more the history of this former celestial empire
