The residence of Prince Gong is a villa built around 1777. The complex covers a total area of 60,000 square meters, just over half of which is occupied by the residence itself, with the rest taken up by the garden at the rear.
The lodgings are spread around three groups of courtyards containing smaller courtyards, just like in the houses in the hutong, although they are far more luxurious.
The garden at the back, surrounded by artificial hills, comprises twenty panoramic views, each one different from the other. Entrance is through a cavern, which comes out among hills, ponds, grottos, a western-style gate and a small theater.
Let me leave you with an interesting fact: according to recent research, the Residence of Prince Gong is described in one of the most famous Chinese novels, “A Dream of Red Mansions”, by Cao Xueqin, in which the writer appears to have lived there.
