Chen Ci Hong Mansion
Chen Ci Hong Mansion
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BrotherDragon
Singapore165 contributions
Feb 2011 • Friends
Being a Teochew (Chaozhou), visiting Swatow (Shantou), where most Teochews would have passed through as they ventured overseas in centuries passed, was something I had always aimed to do to reconnect with my roots. If one is not Teochew, there is probably little charm left to be experienced in Teochewland. Much of the old has made way for the ugly new. When one of my two travelling companions, proposed that we venture out of Swatow and visit the Chen Ci Hong mansion (陈慈黉故居) , which was built over 100 years ago, it wasn't a difficult decision to make.
This mansion stands in Qianmeicun in Chenghai (Tenghai in Teochew), about 10 km out of Swatow. There's a regular bus service running to the Chen Ci Hong mansion from the bus station that is next to the Shantou Overseas Chinese Hotel , No.41, Shanzhang Road, Shantou - Jinping. The bus fare was RMB 13 and the bus comfortable enough.
The mansion sits in the middle of farmland and fruit orchards. It was built by Chen (Tan in Teochew), who made his fortune in Siam (Thailand) and returned to build this stately home in his county. The mansion sits on over 25,000 sq m of land and has over 500 rooms.
Although all the original furnishings have unfortunately gone, the mansion is full of architectural and design surprises. While at first glance it looks like a very large southern Chinese structure of open courtyards, halls, corridors, rooms and curved roofs, upon closer look one can see how richly it is decorated and embellished. There are plenty of European tiles, mosaics and glass, Southeast Asian motifs and design, plus of course the Lingnan architecture and traditional Teochew folk designs. I will let the attached photos tell of their past splendor and beauty. How busy and bustling this place must have once been.
Traditional Chinese doors are still intact as is the opera stage, puppet theatre and gardens. The nooks and crannies, plus a stroll on one of the roof tops give a bird eye's view of the spread of this property. This Mr Tan was truly a very wealthy tycoon.
There is a traditional Teochew dance called "double-bite goose" (双咬鹅) that is performed but we did not get to see it while there. However, if you take a stroll around the nearby village you can see the very large "lion head geese", which are raised for the famous Teochew dish of soy-braised goose meat.
In fact, walking around the villages is recommended to see how people still live there. Be prepared for some amount of rubbish and filth along the country lanes though. But this is the real thing.
To get back to Swatow, walk about 1 km to the main road to catch the return bus. Owing to the low number of visitors, return buses do not always turn in to pick up passengers from the mansion, the bus driver advised.
This mansion stands in Qianmeicun in Chenghai (Tenghai in Teochew), about 10 km out of Swatow. There's a regular bus service running to the Chen Ci Hong mansion from the bus station that is next to the Shantou Overseas Chinese Hotel , No.41, Shanzhang Road, Shantou - Jinping. The bus fare was RMB 13 and the bus comfortable enough.
The mansion sits in the middle of farmland and fruit orchards. It was built by Chen (Tan in Teochew), who made his fortune in Siam (Thailand) and returned to build this stately home in his county. The mansion sits on over 25,000 sq m of land and has over 500 rooms.
Although all the original furnishings have unfortunately gone, the mansion is full of architectural and design surprises. While at first glance it looks like a very large southern Chinese structure of open courtyards, halls, corridors, rooms and curved roofs, upon closer look one can see how richly it is decorated and embellished. There are plenty of European tiles, mosaics and glass, Southeast Asian motifs and design, plus of course the Lingnan architecture and traditional Teochew folk designs. I will let the attached photos tell of their past splendor and beauty. How busy and bustling this place must have once been.
Traditional Chinese doors are still intact as is the opera stage, puppet theatre and gardens. The nooks and crannies, plus a stroll on one of the roof tops give a bird eye's view of the spread of this property. This Mr Tan was truly a very wealthy tycoon.
There is a traditional Teochew dance called "double-bite goose" (双咬鹅) that is performed but we did not get to see it while there. However, if you take a stroll around the nearby village you can see the very large "lion head geese", which are raised for the famous Teochew dish of soy-braised goose meat.
In fact, walking around the villages is recommended to see how people still live there. Be prepared for some amount of rubbish and filth along the country lanes though. But this is the real thing.
To get back to Swatow, walk about 1 km to the main road to catch the return bus. Owing to the low number of visitors, return buses do not always turn in to pick up passengers from the mansion, the bus driver advised.
Written November 13, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom Y
Las Vegas, NV834 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
With a degree in Architecture, I enjoyed the building style and the way it was built and the style. I also get to know the history of Chinese returning from oversea building a nice place to settle down. I could imagine the life style here at one time at this mansion.
Written November 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travellerKiat
Singapore, Singapore87 contributions
Sep 2012 • Solo
I love visiting former residences of overseas Chinese who returned to China to build their huge mansions. The place has been renovated so it is quite safe for you to roam around this big mansion which leaves you wondering why there is a need for this rich man to have such a big mansion. Some rooms may look dilapidated now but they just left you pondering how full of life it was when the mansion was occupied with so many people in the past!
Written September 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jvankl
Toronto, Canada343 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
This is the type of structure/complex that is quickly fading from view in the "modern" China. It gives you good insight as to how people lived in days gone by and I really like seeing these old buildings. As I said these aren't easy to find in some parts of China any longer, but you can find them here, and if you visit Puning (or other small cities in Guangdong) they are still in existence.
The Chen Ci Hong complex is in Chenghai (part of Shantou) but might actually be closer to Chaozhou. It took me 1.5 hours to ride my bicycle from Chaozhou to the Chen Ci Hong mansion, making it closer to CZ than I expected.
The Chen Ci Hong complex is in Chenghai (part of Shantou) but might actually be closer to Chaozhou. It took me 1.5 hours to ride my bicycle from Chaozhou to the Chen Ci Hong mansion, making it closer to CZ than I expected.
Written August 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yichunese
China141 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Visited with a Chinese tour group. Worth the visit. Although the complex is small, there are a number of interesting features, notably the imported tiles! Worth the visit. Visited Spring 2012
Written July 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wutkate
Thailand342 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
It's a bit far from shantou city where you have to travel for more than 1 hour by bus No.103 passing Chenghai town.
A very big mansion with so many rooms (we were told that a servant has to spend whole day to just open and close the windows) and many stories behind.
Well worth a visit.
A very big mansion with so many rooms (we were told that a servant has to spend whole day to just open and close the windows) and many stories behind.
Well worth a visit.
Written May 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Chen Ci Hong Mansion (Shantou) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Chen Ci Hong Mansion
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- (9.18 mi) Zaiyang Inn
- (9.24 mi) Home Inn (Chaozhou Kaiyuan Road)
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