On Yuanbao Street, in the heart of Hangzhou, stands a grand traditional Chinese mansion, which attracts tourists from all over the world. Today, I’d like to take you through the most luxurious mansion for Chinese merchant of the late Qing Dynasty: the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan.

Hu Xueyan was one of China's most influential businessmen in the late Qing Dynasty. He started his career as an apprentice to a private bank in Hangzhou in his early youth. Several years later, he set up his own bank and gradually amassed a fortune. In his heyday, his business widely covered from private banking, pawnbroking, grain trade, real estate to the import and export of munitions and raw silk. And in 1874, he founded the famous Chinese Medicine Pharmacy: Huqingyutang.

Hu Xueyan began the construction of his mansion on Yuanbao Street in 1872, which was completed three years later. It covers an area of 7230 square meters, with a built-up area of 5815 square meters, and is known for well-constructed buildings and beautiful gardens. 

Walking around the residence, we can see exquisite ornaments everywhere. Look at this piece of brick carving. The main feature consists of two phoenixes and three peonies. In Chinese legend, phoenix is regarded as the king of birds, representing love and fortune; while peony, known as the queen of flowers, is a symbol of peace and prosperity. Together, the combination of the two images symbolizes harmonious and wealthy life of a loving couple.

Now we are approaching the main hall of the residence: Hall of One Hundred Lions. Look up at the corbels, one hundred golden lions are staring at us. They are vivid and lifelike, symbolizing prosperity and auspiciousness of the family. In Chinese culture, lion represents courage and strength, and is believed to be able to ward off evil spirits.

Such ornamental carvings are the embodiment of connotations of traditional Chinese culture and testament to the excellent craftsmanship of the time.

Aside from the exquisite ornaments, facilities for convenience were fitted in the residence. Look at this set of equipment. Can you guess what it is? Actually, it is a communication device used for calling servants, similar to a telephone. But unlike our telephone, it didn't work by electricity, but by copper pipes and wires.

This device was mainly used on warships and steamboats at that time, and was very rare and advanced as housing facilities.

Now it's time to take a look at the most beautiful spot of the residence: Zhiyuan Garden. Designed and built under the influence of traditional Chinese landscape paintings, it is a masterpiece of classical gardens of southern China. Plants, water, rockery and a variety of halls, pavilions, bridges and platforms are arranged artistically in a perfect combination of natural scenery and manmade landscapes.

Behind me, there is a pavilion built on a bridge callde Qingyuting. It takes its name from a famous verse of a classical Chinese poem written by Su Shi, a famous writer of the Song Dynasty, “The brimming waves delight the eyes on sunny days, the dimming hills present rare view in rainy haze”, which means whether sunny or rainy, the scenery is always beautiful.

Actually, in the past 120 years, the residence changed hands several times and suffered damage. It was not until 2001 that it was fully restored to its former glory and opened to the public. In 2006, it was inscribed on the list of “National Monuments” by the State Council.

Today, as a popular tourist attraction in Hangzhou, the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan attracts large numbers of visitors from home and abroad every year. The beauty of ancient Chinese architecture and the legendary life story of Hu Xueyan are waiting for you to explore.

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