The Prince Kung's Mansion

Image from the official website of the Prince Kung's Mansion. [Photo/zgnybwg.com.cn]

Firstly built during the reign of Emper Qianlong in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), the Prince Kung's Mansion lies deep in the shade of willows alongside Shichahai Lake in Beijing.

The Mansion, covering more than 60,000 sq m, is endowed with elegant ancient buildings, beautiful gardens and rich culture and history.

Prince Kung's Mansion became a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1982, a National 5A Tourist Attraction in 2012, a National Second-level Museum in 2013, and a National Non-material Cultural Heritage Demonstration Base in 2014.

【History】

The Prince Kung's Mansion has more than 200 years of history and has witnessed seven Qing dynasty's emperor reigns. There is a saying "you can see the history of half of Qing dynasty at the Prince Kung's Mansion".

It was at this Mansion that Heshen -- a powerful prime minister in the Qing dynasty, Kurun Princess Hexiao (the 10th daughter of Emperor Qianlong), Prince Qing Yonglin (the 17th son of Emperor Qianlong) and Prince Kung Yixin (the 6th son of Emperor Daoguang), were given their official titles.

【Collection】

Prince Kung's Mansion has its residences in the front and gardens in the back, which are of similar size.

Among all the buildings in the Mansion, the Back Screen Tower, the Western-style Gate, the Grand Theatre Tower, and the Stele of Fu are known as "three masterpieces and one treasure".

There are several exhibitions at the Mansion all year round, which include a dark-red enameled pottery exhibition, a religious life show, an exhibition demonstrating the culture of mansions in the Qing Dynasty, Qing and Ming dynasty furniture displays and exhibitions on the Qing Dynasty's history.

Address: No 17, West Qianhai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Website: http://www.pgm.org.cn/ (Chinese)

         http://www.pgm.org.cn/newenglish/index.shtml (English)

Open hour: March 15 - October 31: 8:00 - 17:00

           Nov 1- March 14: 9:00 - 16:00

           Closed on Mondays (except on national holidays)

E-mail: sjb@ciae.com.cn 

Ticket: 40 yuan/person

Notes:

1. Children under 120cm in height: free of charge.

2. Retired veterans: free of charge with a valid certificate (free tickets may be collected at the Tourist Center by presenting a veteran’s certificate).

3. Disabled: free of charge with a valid certificate (free tickets may be collected at the Tourist Center by presenting a certificate).

4. Students (excluding graduate students), active duty military personnel and seniors: half price with a valid certificate.