Prince Gong's Mansion

Prince Gong's Mansion, facing the south, is located at the northwestern corner of Shichahai scenic area, surrounded by water and artificial mountains, and not far from the Sycee Bridge with a beautiful large garden. Prince Gong, named Yi Xin, was a prince of the late Qing Dynasty. His garden is 150 metres long from south to north, and 179 metres wide from east to west, covering an area of 28,000 square metres with 31 ancient buildings. The palace was originally the private residence of He Shen a great scholar during the reign of Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty. In the 4th year under the reign of Jia Qing, He Sheng was executed. His mansion was confiscated, and then bestowed to another prince. In the 1st year under the reign of Xian Feng of the Qing Dynasty, the emperor bestowed the mansion to Prince Gong. From then on, it has been called Prince Gong's Mansion and Garden. Prince Gong, named Yi Xin, was the son of Emperor Dao Guang, and the sixth younger brother of Emperor Xian Feng. As the premier during the reign of both Tong Zhi and Guang Xu, Prince Gong was an important figure of the late Qing Dynasty.

Prince Gong mustered a hundred skillful craftsmen to rebuild the garden, making it integrating the features of north China's architectural pattern, south China's gardening art and European architecture. Prince Gong gave it the name of Cuijin Garden. At that time, Prince Gong's mansion was the best of all the over 100 princes' residence in Beijing. It is a national cultural heritage under special protection.