Hu Xueyan's Former Residence

Huge and interesting mansion. Almost every building is open so it takes a lot of time to see everything. It is a very complex system of corridors and pavilions so I recommend to visit with a printed or downloaded plan. One ticket costs 20rmb, can be purchased directly on site without a problem or via trip.com (but on trip.com it was impossible to buy it at 2 p.m. for the same day so I bought it on site). The entrance and exit door are not in the same place.

Hu Xueyan (1823-1885), formerly known as Guangxuan, the word Xueyan, ancestral Anhui Jixi, was born in Hangzhou, and is revered as the "Redding Merchant" for its outstanding business talents and contributions to society. Hu Xueyan's former residence was built during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty (1872), and completed in 1875, which coincided with the peak of Hu Xueyan's career. The whole building reflects the style of Chinese architecture in the late Qing Dynasty and is known as the "first mansion of Chinese giants in the late Qing Dynasty". The architectural layout of the former residence is divided into central axis parts and courtyards on both sides of the east and west. The central axis area includes the car hall, Baishi Building, etc., which was used for daily hospitality. The sedan hall has two well-worked mahogany sedan chairs, and the beams are said to be all made of ginkgo wood. The west side courtyard is Hu Xueyan's frequent garden, Yuzhiyuan, with pavilions, Quqiao, Bichi and rockery. The courtyard on the east side consists of Heletang, Qingyatang, Hemu Hall and other halls, which is the living place of the owner's family. Hu Xueyan's former residence is not only the place where Hu Xueyan lives, but also the symbol of his business empire. In the heyday of his career, Hu Xueyan, in addition to operating Qianzhuang, also dabbled in grain, real estate, pawns and other industries, and founded "Hu Qingyutang National Drug No. His success and contribution to society were recognized by the court, and he was knighted as a minister of government, and he was given red tops and yellow horses.

This place is fabulous. A little gem of late Qing architecture. we got there early in the morning before the crowds and spent 2h in raptures. The atmosphere, the architecture, the tranquility, the residence has its all. we even enjoyed a gorgeous tea in the former ballroom.

Hu Xueyan's former residence was rebuilt in 1999, and the previous buildings were basically destroyed, which is a pity. However, it is worth seeing here. Hu Xueyan has lived a very free and easy life. It is not a standard Zhejiang style. The former residence is mainly a small and exquisite. It is still worth seeing.

Today, I accompanied the school to visit the "Hu Xueyan Former Residence" in "Yuanbao Street". Hu Xueyan's former residence is introduced to Hu Xueyan, famous Guangyan (1823 ～ 1885). Hangzhou people. When I was a teenager, I went to Hangzhou Yiqianzhuang as a buddy, and then I ran Yuankang Qianzhuang with the support of Zhejiang Patrol Wang Youling. Also because of his efforts to help Zuo Zongxu recover Xinjiang and other battles, he was rewarded by the Chaoyan, sealed the title of the government minister, gave red tops, the Forbidden City horse riding, and admired the yellow horse. When Hu Dingsheng, in addition to operating Qianzhuang, he also operated grain, real estate, pawns, and imported and exported arms, raw silk, etc., and then founded Hu Qingyutang National Drug No., becoming a red businessman for a while. Hu Xueyan's former residence was built in the 11th year of Qing Zhouzhi (1872), and it cost a huge sum of money, covering an area of 10.8 mu, and the construction area of 5,815 square meters. Guangxu's children and grandchildren in 25 years (1899) paid their debts to the criminal department Shangshu co-organized the university academic Wenxu, and later transferred Jiang's family. The house has 13th floor, Zhiyuan, Pavilion, small bridges and flowing water, Minglang dark alley, the building is cleverly conceived. Brick carving, wood carving, stone carving, gray plastic is inexhaustible. Among them, Zhiyuan rockery is the largest artificial cave in China. Especially using a large number of purple twigs, sour branches, teak, ginkgo, sycamore, Chinese twigs and other high-end timber to build luxury houses, is a very good late Qing architecture in China, can be called the first mansion of China's giant merchants at the end of Qing Dynasty. Many rooms are closed and closed. No, no, no, I still charge tickets. The two moon doors are good for taking pictures.