Prince Li’s Mansion in Beijing

Prince Li’s Mansion(礼王府), Also known as 巽王府 (Xunwang Mansion) or 康王府 (Kangwang Mansion), this historical building is located at 9 Xichenggen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China. Originally built during the Kangxi era (康熙) of the Qing Dynasty (清朝), the mansion was initially called Kangwang Mansion. It was destroyed by a fire in 1807 and later rebuilt on the original site. Today, it is used by the State Administration for Government Affairs (中华人民共和国国家机关事务管理局).

Basic Information

Name: Prince Li’s Mansion (礼王府)

Other Names: Xunwang Mansion (巽王府), Kangwang Mansion (康王府)

Location: 9 Xichenggen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing (北京市西城区西城根南街9号)

Built: During the Kangxi era (康熙) of the Qing Dynasty (清朝)

Size: Over 80,000 square meters

Cultural Protection: Classified as a municipal cultural heritage site by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government in 1984.

Historical Evolution

Early Beginnings: In the late Ming Dynasty, the site was home to Zhou Kui (周奎), a relative of the Ming Emperor Chongzhen (崇祯), who built a private residence here.

Qing Dynasty: In 1645, Emperor Shunzhi (顺治) granted Zhou Kui’s property to Aisin Gioro Daisan (爱新觉罗·代善), a prominent prince of the Qing royal family.

Renaming and Expansion: In 1649, Daisan’s seventh son, Aisin Gioro Mandahai (爱新觉罗·满达海), inherited the title of Xun Prince (巽亲王) and moved the residence’s western courtyard to become the Xunwang Mansion. Meanwhile, Mandahai’s nephew, Aisin Gioro Jieshu (爱新觉罗·杰书), inherited the title of Kang Prince (康亲王) and moved into the eastern courtyard, which was renamed Kangwang Mansion.

Further Changes: In 1659, Emperor Shunzhi confirmed Jieshu’s title and gave him the official title of Kang Prince. Kangwang Mansion became Li Wangfu (礼王府), or Prince Li’s Mansion, during the Qianlong era (乾隆), in 1778, when the title of Li Prince was revived.

Fires and Reconstruction: The mansion was destroyed by fire in 1807, but it was rebuilt on the original site.

Modern Use: In 1927, the mansion was converted into the North China College of Law and Politics (华北文法学院). In 1949, it served as the campus for North China University (华北大学), and later became an office space for the Ministry of Internal Affairs (内务部) of the People’s Republic of China.

Architectural Layout

The Prince Li Mansion covers more than 80,000 square meters and consists of three main routes: central, eastern, and western.

Central Building

The central building is the mansion’s main structure, consisting of five levels and seven courtyards. The layout includes:

Main Gate: 5 rooms

Main Hall: 7 rooms

East and West Wings: 7 rooms each

Rear Hall: 5 rooms

Sleeping Quarters: 9 rooms, including an additional 7-room structure known as the “Rear Covered Building” (后罩楼).

Eastern Building

The eastern section of the mansion housed 12 courtyards, which were used as bedrooms for the prince and his family. Today, only a few remnants of the eastern courtyards remain, with considerable damage.

Western Building

The western section of the mansion originally contained 11 courtyards, including gardens and lofts, but much of it has been demolished over time.

Cultural Significance

Notable Figures

Aisin Gioro Daisan (爱新觉罗·代善) was a prominent figure in the Qing Dynasty, serving as the Prince of Li (礼亲王). He was the second son of Emperor Nurhaci (努尔哈赤) and was instrumental in the founding of the Qing Dynasty. He was awarded the title of Prince Li in 1636 and was deeply involved in the governance of the empire.

Aisin Gioro Jieshu (爱新觉罗·杰书) was Daisan’s grandson and succeeded him as the Prince of Li in 1659. His reign marked the further consolidation of the Qing Dynasty’s power.

Legend of the Mansion

There is a local legend about the mansion being a “haunted house” due to strange phenomena reported by a woman named Shi Da Ma (石大妈), who claimed that the mansion was surrounded by whirlwinds that appeared mysteriously. However, this legend remains unverified, and no one in the area has ever confirmed the tale. Local residents dismiss it as a fictional ghost story likely born from the city’s notorious sandstorms.

Cultural Value

The Prince Li Mansion is a significant historical site that provides valuable insight into the architectural style and construction practices of Qing Dynasty royal residences. Its well-preserved main building offers an authentic example of the Qing era’s court life and architectural layout.

Heritage Protection

In 1984, the Beijing Municipal People’s Government (北京市人民政府) designated Prince Li’s Mansion as a municipal cultural heritage site, recognizing its importance in Chinese history and culture.

Tourist Information

Location

Prince Li’s Mansion is located at 9 Xichenggen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing (北京市西城区西城根南街9号).

Public Transport

Bus: Take Route 68 and get off at Xihuangchenggen Station (西黄城根站).

Subway: Take Line 4 to Lingjing Hutong Station (灵境胡同站).

By Car: It is approximately 2.4 kilometers from the Beijing Municipal Government (北京市政府), taking about 8 minutes by car.

Prince Li’s Mansion remains an important landmark for those interested in the history and culture of the Qing Dynasty (清朝) and is a must-see for visitors interested in Chinese heritage.