Prince Gong's Mansion

Prince Gong's Mansion (known as Gong Wang Fu in Chinese) is the best preserved Qing Dynasty princely mansion and used to house several families, which shows us a typical example of how the upper class lived in that time. It is located just north of the Shichahai Lake, with a total area of 60000 square meters. 

Brief Introduction

Prince Gong’s Mansion has orderly layout and excellent architecture craftsmanship, beautiful pavilions, halls, corridors, bridges, courtyards can be seen everywhere, which fully reflects the great fusion of the exquisite and delicate style of the royal family and the simple and elegant folk style of Qing Dynasty. 

It consists of 31 pavilions, halls, and residential buildings, 9 courtyards, several arched bridges, large ponds with islands and swans, an immense rock garden in the classical style, and even its own private pagoda for gazing at the moon. The whole Prince Gong’s Mansion is divided into 2 areas: mansion and garden. 

Around the year 1777 during the Qing Dynasty, Prince Gong’s Mansion was originally constructed for Heshen, a prominent court official highly doted by Qianlong Emperor who was handsome, witty, self-confident and incredibly corrupt. And in 1799, the Jiaqing Emperor (the successor to Qianlong Emperor) executed Heshen for his major offence of corruption, and then gave the mansion to Yonglin (Prince Qing), the 17th and youngest son of Qianlong Emperor. In 1851, the 6th brother of Xianfeng Emperor, Prince Gong became the new owner of the mansion. And that is where the name “Prince Gong’s Mansion” comes from. It witnessed the Qing Dynasty from rising and falling, so there is a saying “One Prince Gong’s Mansion, Half History of Qing Dynasty”. 

Besides, from geomantic terms, the location of Prince Gong’s Mansion can be really called a “land of treasure”. It is said that the place in Beijing with the largest number of long-lived elderly people is near the mansion. 

What to See

While you wondering around here, you will find that the scenery changes at every step and the styles vary from different areas. The Prince Gong’s Mansion is praised as a sparkling pearl by the Shichahai Lake.  

Among all the buildings, there’re several representative ones which will really make a deep impression on you, like the Grand Theatre Tower, the Western-style Gate, the Back Screen Tower and the Stele of Fu. They are hailed as “three masterpieces and one treasure” of the Prince Gong’s Mansion.  

Besides, there’re many precious royal collection in the Prince Gong’s Mansion. And the garden in the mansion is also worth visiting. You will not only enjoy the beautiful scenery and garden design while strolling in it, but also get to know more about its rich culture and history. 

How to Get Here

Location: No.17, West Qianhai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 

By Subway

Take Subway Line 6 and get off at Beihai North Station. 

By Bus

Take Bus 13, 42, 90, 107, 111, 118, 204, 609, 612, 623 or 701 and get off at Beihai Bei Men (Beihai North Gate) Station. 

Opening Hours

Peak season: Mar. 15-Oct. 31

Ticket office hours: 8:00 - 17:00

Closing time: 18:30 

Off season: Nov. 1-the next Mar. 14 (The Museum closes on Mondays except on statutory holidays.)

Ticket office hours: 9:00 - 16:00

Closing time: 18:30 

Ticket Prices

Admission: RMB 40 

Coupon Ticket: RMB 70 (including the entrance ticket, professional tour guide fee, admission to spots, exhibitions, the Grand Theatre Tower, the opera show in the tower and tea and snacks during the show.) 

Travel Tips

1. The best season to visit the Prince Gong’s Mansion is spring and autumn, i.e. April, May, September and October.

2. Because the Prince Gong’s Mansion is so close to the Shichahai and Houhai Hutongs, so I suggest you can make an itinerary like this: after visiting the Prince Gong’s Mansion, you can have a sightseeing tour in the Shichahai area, and then cycle along Hutongs to experience the Beijingers’ traditional local life and taste some classic snacks.

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