Princess Mansion Museum
The Mansion of Princess Heshuo Kejing, built between the 36th and 45th years of the Kangxi reign (1697-1706), was the residence of Princess Heshuo Kejing, the sixth daughter of Emperor Kangxi, after she married Dondobdorji, the Tüsiyetü Khan of Khalkha Mongolia.
The original area of the mansion was over 600 mu, and the current area is 18,000 square meters, with the main building covering 4,800 square meters and the exhibition area covering 1,500 square meters. The layout of the mansion follows the traditional symmetrical design with a front hall and rear chambers, forming a four-courtyard complex. The main buildings feature gable roofs, exquisite porches, stonework, brick carvings, and colorful paintings, showcasing traditional architectural styles and norms while highlighting the mansion's status and regulations.
The mansion was an official construction supervised by the Imperial Household Department, with exquisite craftsmanship and high-quality materials, strictly adhering to the architectural regulations of Qing dynasty princely mansions. The most prestigious building in the mansion is the Jingyi Hall in the second courtyard, which was used by the princess for political affairs, receiving officials and guests during the Qing dynasty.
🌟 Highlights:
✅ The plaque inscribed with 'Jingyi Hall' hanging above the main hall was personally written by Emperor Kangxi in the 46th year of his reign (1707), the tenth year of the princess's marriage, during his northern tour.
✅ The partitions in the princess's bedroom are made of golden nanmu wood, without any paint, entirely crafted from waxed raw wood, making them extremely precious.
✅ The Mansion of Princess Heshuo Kejing is a historical witness to the intermarriage between the Manchu and Mongolian peoples during the Qing dynasty. It is the largest and best-preserved princess mansion in the country, the only intact royal architectural complex in Inner Mongolia, known as the 'First Mansion West of Beijing,' and an important cultural carrier of ancient architectural art.
The magnificent and grand Princess Mansion is an invaluable physical evidence for studying the architecture and history of the northern frontier during the Qing dynasty. It is also a historical witness to the friendly unity and joint development and construction of the frontier by the people of all ethnic groups in China. When you visit Hohhot, you must come to the Princess Mansion to witness and learn about it.
📍 Detailed Address: No. 62, Tongdao North Road, Xincheng District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Free parking is available inside.
🕙 Opening Hours: Summer 9:00~17:00. (Closed on Mondays)
Winter 9:30~17:00.
⏳ Visiting Time: About two hours.
💰 Ticket Fee: Free admission.