Prince Gong’s Mansion was first built in the 41st year of the Qianlong reign (1776) during the Qing Dynasty. It was originally the residence of Heshen, Emperor Qianlong’s favored court official. After Heshen was executed and his property confiscated during the Jiaqing reign, this private residence was granted to Prince Cheng, Yonglin.
In the first year of the Xianfeng reign (1851), the mansion was given to Prince Gong, Yixin, from whom the name “Prince Gong’s Mansion” originates.
Prince Gong’s Mansion witnessed the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty, leading to the saying: “A single Prince Gong’s Mansion tells half of Qing history.”
Prince Gong's Mansion Scenic Area Information
Coverage Area: Over 60,000 square meters
Admission Fee: 40 RMB
Ticket Booking: Trip | Klook
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Museum Grade: National First-Class
Scenic Area Rating: AAAAA
Address: No. 17 Qianhai West Street, Shichahai, Xicheng District, Beijing
Official Website: https://www.pgm.org.cn/
Ticket + Guided Tour: Beijing Prince Gong's Mansion Half-Day Tour (Morning/Afternoon · Includes Admission · 2.5-Hour Expert Commentary)
Transportation to Prince Gong's Mansion
Subway: Take Subway Line 6 to Beihai North Station. Exit via Northeast Exit B.
Route 1: Walk 200 meters along Sanzuoqiao Hutong.
Route 2: Walk 300 meters along Longtoujing Street.
Bus: Take Bus Routes 3, 4, 13, 42, 107, 111, 118, 612, or Sightseeing Line 3 to Beihai North Gate Station.
Driving: Navigate to “Prince Gong's Mansion” on Gaode Maps.
Prince Gong's Mansion Tour Routes
1-Hour Express Tour Route
Front Gate, Yinan Hall, Baoguang Room, Xijin Studio, Rear Pavilion, Western Gate, Dule Peak, Bat Pond, Fu Character Stele, Square Pond Pavilion, Yu Gate, Archery Range
2-Hour Quick Tour Itinerary
一宮門-銀安殿-嘉樂堂-葆光室-錫晉齋-後罩樓-西洋門-獨樂峰-蝠池-安善堂-流杯亭-竹子院-牡丹園-怡神所-蝠廳-平步青雲路-邀月台-滴翠岩-福字碑-方塘水榭-妙香亭-龍王廟-箭道-樂道堂-多福軒
First Palace Gate - Silver Peace Hall - Joyous Music Hall - Light-Preserving Chamber - Tin-Jin Study - Rear Enclosure Tower - Western Gate - Solitary Delight Peak - Bat Pond - Benevolence Hall -Floating Cup Pavilion-Bamboo Courtyard-Peony Garden-Yishensuo-Bat Hall-Path to Soaring Success-Moon Invitation Terrace-Drip-Green Rock-Fuzizi Stele-Square Pond Pavilion-Fragrant Pavilion-Dragon King Temple-Archery Range-Yuedao Hall-Duofu Pavilion
Half-Day In-Depth Tour Itinerary
一宮門-銀安殿-嘉樂堂-葆光室-錫晉齋-抱夏-後罩樓-西洋門-獨樂峰-蝠池-安善堂-流杯亭-蓺蔬圃-垂花門-竹子院-牡丹園-怡神所-蝠廳-平步青雲路-邀月台-滴翠岩-福字碑-詩畫舫-淩倒景-方塘水榭-妙香亭-榆關-龍王廟-箭道-樂道堂-多福軒
First Palace Gate - Silver Peace Hall - Joyous Music Hall - Light-Preserving Chamber - Tin-Jin Study - Summer Embrace Pavilion - Rear Enclosure Tower - Western Gate - Solitary Delight Peak - Bat Pond - Benevolence Hall -Floating Cup Pavilion-Artistic Vegetable Garden-Draped Flower Gate-Bamboo Courtyard-Peony Garden-Serenity Retreat-Bat Hall-Path to Soaring Success-Moon-Inviting Terrace-Drip-Green Rock-Blessing Character Stele-Poetry-Painting Boat-Reflecting Scenery-Square Pond Pavilion-Fragrant Pavilion-Elm Pass-Dragon King Temple-Archery Range-Joyful Path Hall-Abundant Blessings Pavilion
和珅線遊玩線路
一宮門-銀安殿-嘉樂堂-葆光室-錫晉齋-後罩樓-西洋門-獨樂峰-蝠池-福字碑-平步青雲路-邀月台-樂道堂-多福軒
First Palace Gate - Silver Peace Hall - Joyous Music Hall - Light-Preserving Chamber - Tin-Jin Study - Rear Enclosure Tower - Western Gate - Solitary Delight Peak - Bat Pond - Auspicious Character Stele - Path to Soaring Success - Moon-Inviting Terrace - Joyous Virtue Hall - Abundant Blessings Pavilion
Prince Gong's Tour Route
一宮門-銀安殿-嘉樂堂-葆光室-錫晉齋-西洋門-獨樂峰-安善堂-流杯亭-蓺蔬圃-竹子院-怡神所-蝠廳-邀月台-方塘水榭-妙香亭-箭道-樂道堂-多福軒
First Palace Gate - Silver Peace Hall - Joyous Music Hall - Light-Preserving Chamber - Tin-Jin Study - Western Gate - Solitary Delight Peak - Peaceful Virtue Hall - Floating Cup Pavilion - Vegetable Garden - Bamboo Courtyard - Tranquil Retreat - Bat Pavilion - Moon-Inviting Terrace - Square Pond Pavilion - Fragrant Delight Pavilion - Archery Range - Joyous Path Hall - Abundant Blessings Pavilion
Landscape Architecture and Ancient Architecture Line
一宮門-銀安殿-嘉樂堂-錫晉齋-後罩樓-西洋門-獨樂峰-蝠池-流杯亭-怡神所-蝠廳-邀月台-滴翠岩-方塘水榭-妙香亭-榆關-多福軒
Yicheng Gate - Yinan Hall - Jiale Hall - Xijin Pavilion - Rear Enclosure Tower - Western Gate - Dule Peak - Bat Pond - Floating Cup Pavilion - Yishen Retreat - Bat Hall - Inviting Moon Terrace - Drip-Green Rock - Square Pond Pavilion - Fragrant Pavilion - Yu Pass - Duofu Pavilion
Must-See Attractions at Prince Gong's Mansion
Grand Theater (One of the Three Masterpieces)
△ Interior of the Grand Opera House
The Grand Opera House inside Prince Gong’s Mansion was built during the Tongzhi period (1862–1874) and was designed to provide theatrical entertainment for Prince Gong and his family and friends. This opera house is considered a unique, enclosed-style theater treasure among those still preserved in China and was respectfully referred to as the “Great Theater House” in official Qing Dynasty documents.
Covering an area of 685 square meters, it features a cleverly designed enclosed structure using a three-arch linked roof system. Notably, the entire building was constructed without a single iron nail—using only traditional mortise-and-tenon joints—which also makes it earthquake-resistant.
The acoustic performance of the Grand Opera House is exceptional; even from the farthest corner of the main hall, one can clearly hear the singing on stage. This is thanks to its ingenious design—nine large water jars were placed beneath the hollowed-out stage floor to enhance resonance and reverberation.
The two large pillars on both sides of the stage, as well as the four walls and the ceiling, are covered with paintings of winding wisteria vines, with lush green leaves and blooming purple flowers, creating the feeling of watching an opera under a wisteria trellis. Twenty large palace lanterns hang from the ceiling, the floor is paved with blue bricks, and twenty Eight-Immortals tables paired with master chairs are neatly arranged.
The back wall of the opera house is made of light brown wooden latticework, backed with dark blue silk fabric, giving the entire space a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
The stage is about 1 meter high and more than 10 meters wide. On the stage are a desk and two master chairs, with red embroidered curtains used as drapery. Above the stage hangs a black plaque with gold characters, inscribed in seal script with the four words “Shang Xin Le Shi” (“Delightful and Joyful Events”).
In addition to serving as a venue for theatrical performances, the Grand Opera House was also used for weddings and funerals held in Prince Gong’s Mansion. Today, the opera house still hosts performances, including Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, and others, with the mansion’s traditional court music being especially distinctive.
The “Fu” Character Stele (One of the Three Masterpieces)
The Blessing Character Stele (福字碑) at Prince Gong’s Mansion is a stone tablet filled with deep historical and cultural significance. The “福” (fu, meaning “blessing”) character on the stele was written by Emperor Kangxi as a prayer for the recovery of his seriously ill grandmother, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, which makes it extremely precious. According to unofficial historical accounts, Heshen took a liking to this auspicious stele and managed to secretly move it out of the palace. He then embedded it into the stone wall of the Misty Cloud Cave in the Cui Jin Garden, the garden of his residence (later known as Prince Gong’s Mansion). The stone wall originally contained a “壽” (shou, meaning “longevity”) character, and the “福” character on the stele happened to become the dot of that “壽” character—turning the place into a feng-shui treasure symbolizing “blessings within longevity, and longevity within blessings.”
The Blessing Character Stele is about 1 meter tall (some accounts say the tablet is 129 cm long) and about 0.6 meters wide (other accounts list it as 54 cm wide). In the center of the stele is a large “福” character, measuring approximately 59 cm by 33 cm. Above the character is the imperial seal “Written by the Kangxi Emperor” (康熙御筆之寶), further proving its status as an imperial handwritten inscription.
The strokes of the “福” character are bold, powerful, and flowing, full of vigor while maintaining a sense of graceful rhythm. At the same time, the character contains hidden forms of five other characters—“子” (sons), “田” (fields), “才” (talent), “壽” (longevity), and “福” (blessing)—symbolizing “many sons, abundant land, great talent, long life, and great fortune.” This makes it the world’s only “Five Blessings in One” and “Blessing and Longevity in One” character. For this reason, it is also known as the “Longevity Blessing” and the “Number One Blessing Under Heaven.”
Rear Cover Building
The Rear Screen Building (後罩樓) was originally constructed during Heshen’s time and stands as a witness to his luxurious lifestyle and immense accumulation of wealth. The building stretches more than 160 meters from east to west (some sources say 156 meters or 189 meters), making it the longest structure among all princely residences in China. Inside the building are 111 rooms, commonly referred to as the “Ninety-Nine and a Half Rooms.” At the west end, five uniquely arranged rooms form a maze-like space, which is why the area is called the “Little Maze” (小迷宮). Within the “Little Maze” is the only indoor garden landscape found in China.
The upper level of the rear eaves wall contains a total of 88 decorative windows of various shapes, including circular, pomegranate-shaped, peach-shaped, fan-shaped, and more. No two window designs are the same, and the eaves are adorned with exquisite brick carvings.
Among the people, it is widely said that the Rear Screen Building was Heshen’s “treasure storage building.” According to legend, in order to identify the treasures hidden within the walls, Heshen designed windows of different shapes on the rear wall. By simply looking at the shape of a window, he would supposedly know what was hidden inside. However, there is no concrete historical evidence to support this claim, and it is more commonly passed down as a folk tale.
Silver Peace Hall
The Silver Peace Hall of Prince Kung’s Mansion was first built in the 42nd year of the Qianlong reign (1777) under the supervision of Heshen. In the 30th year of the Daoguang reign (1850), Prince Gong, Aisin-Gioro Yixin, was granted the mansion by imperial decree, and the Silver Peace Hall became the main hall of the residence, used for major ceremonies. In the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921), it was destroyed in a fire, and later, in 2007, it was meticulously reconstructed to restore its former splendor.
The architectural form of the Silver Peace Hall is clearly defined in the Collected Statutes of the Great Qing. A prince’s hall was required to have seven bays in width, while a prince of the second rank (junwang) was allowed five bays. As the principal hall of a prince’s residence, the Silver Peace Hall was designed with seven bays, featuring a hip-and-gable roof covered with green glazed tiles—an architectural feature unique to a prince’s mansion. If you observe closely, the main gate of Prince Kung’s Mansion bears 63 door studs arranged in nine horizontal rows and seven vertical rows, which is also the formal standard for a prince’s residence. (Here I have a question: according to the regulations, the Silver Peace Hall should have seven bays, so why does the existing structure appear to have only five?)
The roof eaves of the Silver Peace Hall are adorned with seven ridge beasts, and the ends of the main ridge are decorated with chiwen. The hall’s decorative painting is also exceptionally exquisite, using the highest-level techniques found in the xuānzi style of ornamentation, including gold-outlined designs, polished ink, jade-grinding patterns, and dragon brocade motifs on the beams. Behind the Silver Peace Hall stands Jialetang, the spiritual hall of the mansion, where ancestral and deity tablets were enshrined. It served as the venue for Shamanistic rituals performed by the household.
Duofu Xuan
The Duofu Pavilion was first built during the Heshen period and was originally called “Yanxi Hall.” It became the residence of Princess Hexiao after she married Fengshen Yinde. Later, during the time of Prince Gong, the Xianfeng Emperor inscribed a plaque reading “Duofu Pavilion,” officially renaming “Yanxi Hall” to “Duofu Pavilion.” The pavilion is a five-bay main hall with a hip-and-gable roof covered in gray cylindrical tiles.
Hanging at the center of the main hall is a plaque inscribed with the four large characters “Tong De Yan Xi,” written personally by Empress Dowager Cixi as a birthday gift for Prince Gong Yixin’s fiftieth birthday. The character “釐” is an alternate form of “禧,” meaning auspiciousness. By bestowing this plaque, Empress Dowager Cixi intended to remind Yixin that only by sharing the same heart and virtue with her could he enjoy good fortune, harmony, and longevity.
Mounted along the upper portions of the surrounding walls are several imperial plaques bearing the characters for “fortune” (福) and “longevity” (壽), granted by various emperors. On the south side of Duofu Pavilion’s raised terrace stands a wisteria arbor, where two ancient wisteria vines—more than two hundred years old—continue to grow. The courtyard surrounding Duofu Pavilion is therefore known as the Wisteria Courtyard.
Light Preservation Chamber
“Baoguang” comes from the chapter Equalizing Things in the ancient text Zhuangzi. “Bao” means “to conceal,” and “Baoguang” refers to hiding one’s brilliance from others, symbolizing the idea of keeping one’s talents concealed. During the periods of Heshen and Prince Qing, the Baoguang Room served as a reception hall for hosting important guests. According to the Inventory of Confiscated Property of Heshen compiled during the Jiaqing era, 26,000 taels of gold were seized from the interlayer wall of Heshen’s residence—and the location of that hidden wall was precisely in the Baoguang Room.
During the time of Prince Gong Yixin, the Baoguang Room became a secret reception hall mainly used to receive the prince’s closest relatives and trusted friends. The plaque inscribed with “Baoguang Room,” written personally by the Xianfeng Emperor, still hangs there today.
In 1937, Fu Jen Catholic University purchased part of Prince Gong’s Mansion—which had been mortgaged to the Catholic Church by Puwei, the Young Prince Gong—and used it as the women’s division of the university. Located on the western side of the mansion, the Baoguang Room then served as the school’s study room.
(Note: Prince Gong Yixin passed away on the 10th day of the fourth month of the 24th year of the Guangxu reign. His eldest grandson, Puwei, inherited the title and became the second Prince Gong, also known as the “Young Prince Gong.”)
Xijin Studio
This is the famous Xijin Study. During the Heshen period, it was called Jiale Hall and served as the living quarters of Heshen and his wife. At that time, Heshen lavishly renovated Xijin Study in imitation of the Ning Shou Palace style of the Forbidden City, using a large amount of rare golden nanmu timber to create exquisitely crafted partitions and decorations. However, this extravagant, regulation-defying renovation became one of the reasons the Jiaqing Emperor ultimately sentenced Heshen to death.
After Heshen was convicted, his residence was bestowed by the Jiaqing Emperor upon Prince Qing Yonglin, and Jiale Hall was renamed Qingyi Hall. Later, during the time of Prince Gong Yixin, the young Beizi Puren of the Hidden Prince’s Mansion was too young to manage affairs, so Empress Dowager Cixi ordered Prince Gong to temporarily oversee the mansion’s administration. Seizing this opportunity, Prince Gong requested the original manuscript Pingfu Tie—a genuine work by the great Jin dynasty scholar Lu Ji—be brought to Prince Gong’s Mansion “for safekeeping,” where it was stored inside Qingyi Hall.
When the Young Prince Gong Puwei inherited the mansion, he wished to highlight the prestige of Pingfu Tie, so he renamed Qingyi Hall to Xijin Study, the place that housed this invaluable masterpiece.
Xijin Study is renowned for its two-story pavilion and exquisitely crafted golden nanmu partitions. The floors are paved with expensive variegated stone, giving the entire building a luxurious and refined atmosphere. Some people say a single nanmu log is worth 2.7 billion yuan—I can’t help but feel like giving that claim a slap in the face.
Because the architectural style of Xijin Study resembles the courtyard layout of the Rongguo Mansion depicted in Cao Xueqin’s Dream of the Red Chamber, many scholars of Redology have speculated that it may have served as a real-life model for the novel’s setting.
Western Gate (One of the Three Masterpieces)
The Western-Style Gate (Xiyangmen) is the main gate at the southernmost end of the garden path in Prince Gong’s Mansion. There are two accounts regarding the time of its construction. One version claims that Heshen, taking advantage of his position supervising the construction of the Old Summer Palace, secretly obtained the blueprints and built it. Another version suggests that it was constructed under the supervision of Prince Gong Yixin during the Self-Strengthening Movement to demonstrate an intention to learn Western culture and technology to save the Qing Dynasty.
The gate’s outer plaque is inscribed with “Jing Han Tai Gu,” and the inner plaque reads “Xiu Yi Heng Chun,” reflecting the ideals pursued by the garden’s owner. The characters “Jing” (serenity) and “Xiu” (elegance) symbolize the two spiritual realms the owner sought.
The Western-Style Gate is also the only Western-style building within the garden. At that time, it is said that there were only three Western-style gates in all of Beijing. This gate is considered one of the mansion’s “three marvels,” along with the Grand Opera House and the Rear Screen Building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are children free at Prince Gong’s Mansion? Do I need to make a reservation? ❓
A: Children aged 6 and under (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters in height (inclusive) can enter for free and do not need a reservation.
Q: Is Prince Gong’s Mansion closed on Mondays? ❓
A: Except on public holidays, the mansion is closed all day on Mondays throughout the year. If there are major events or special circumstances, opening hours may change, and the official website will provide advance notice.
Q: Can I buy tickets for Prince Gong’s Mansion on the same day? ❓
A: Tickets must be purchased in advance. Reservations open at 20:00, ten days prior to the visit.
Q: Who is eligible for free admission? ❓
A: Children aged 6 and under or under 1.2 meters in height may enter for free. Retired officials with valid ID and persons with disabilities with a disability certificate can exchange for a free ticket at the Visitor Service Center.
Q: How many orders or tickets can an individual user purchase? ❓
A: Each individual order is limited to five tickets. Each user may place up to two orders per day.
Q: After successfully purchasing tickets, do I still need to exchange for paper tickets? ❓
A: Visitors using a second-generation ID card do not need to exchange for paper tickets. On the day of the visit, simply present the original ID card at the entrance. Visitors holding active military ID, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents, Taiwan Compatriot Permit, residence permits for Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan residents, or a passport should go to the Comprehensive Service Office to exchange for an admission pass.
Q: My plans have changed. Can I get a refund? ❓
A: If you cannot visit on the scheduled day, please cancel via the original reservation channel before 16:00; the refund will be returned through the original payment method without affecting your no-show record. Cancellations made before 22:00 on the same day will be refunded but counted as one no-show. After 22:00, please call the Comprehensive Service Office at 010-83281915; staff will process refunds within 20 working days on closed days, counted as one no-show. Accumulating three no-shows within 60 days will result in the inability to make further reservations within that period, starting from the third no-show.
Q: Can I store my luggage? ❓
A: Yes, luggage storage is available at the Visitor Service Center located east of Gate 1 of Prince Gong’s Mansion Museum.
