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Former residence of Xueyan Hu
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Former residence of Xueyan Hu

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Former residence of Xueyan Hu
4.5
214 reviews
#10 of 386 things to do in Hangzhou
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
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8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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What people are saying
“An interesting slice of culture”
Oct 2019
This place is primarily oriented to the chinese tourist but you can book into a tour with an english speaking guide which I highly recommend. The architecture and organization of the mansion I found quite interesting, and was also surprised at what he found desirable in a mansion. I recommend that you go through with a guide first then circle back to places that you found curious or attractive. See how many cave entrances you can find....
“Good for a few hours”
Jan 2019
Very beautiful residence, however it may be difficult for people who do not understand Chinese. Lots of signs and videos are in Chinese. The residence is very scenic and good for a 2 hour visit and a few pictures.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
214 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
84
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Celsius2
Sydney, Australia44 contributions
Restored mansion of a very rich man
Aug 2014 • Friends
After the busy, noisy sights and sounds of the West Lake, Hu Xue Yan Mansion is a lovely side trip when visiting Huangzhou.

Hu Xue Yan (胡雪岩) is a very rich merchant in China during the late Qing dynasty. Hu’s business empire range from tea, salt, real estate, shipping, banking and firearms. Hu’s mansion reflects his style in business: the place is hidden away from praying eye, but behind closed doors, you will find every luxury money can buy at the time.

The address is 18 Yuan Bao Jie Shangcheng Qu (杭州市上城区元宝街18号). Is within walkable distance (10 minutes) beyond the old street. You will walk through a narrow lane with high walls on each side until you reach a small wooden door on the left hand side. Once you paid a 20 RMB entrance fee, you are free to explore the place at your own pace.

If you getting an English tour guide, get them to explain the life history of the owner or do some research beforehand on Hu and you may understand why this house was important to him and how it related to different stages of his life.

Things we find it interesting:
• Brass door knob in the shape of a hand holding a ring, this symbolise power
• Design of the various garden and pavilions, this will keep women of the house (Hu have 13 wives living in the same house) locked behind closed doors with no little contact with the outside world. A wife’s popularity determines the location of her room in the mansion.
• Worship of kitchen goddess in the Small kitchen and large kitchen
• Brass water tanks used for putting out fires in courtyards
• Opera theatre Hu built for his mother in the middle of the lake
• The maid’s room
• Herb store near the exit, this is one of Hu’s pride and joy beside the bank. Note: the other branches of the herb store still in trading today, its on the main old street (Song street)

Toilet is western style toilet, very clean.
Written July 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ralpo Stankic
Hangzhou, China472 contributions
Historical immersion
Nov 2017 • Friends
I am a lover of Chinese culture, history and architecture. Contrary to the commonly mistaken understanding of Chinese architecture, the style and floor planning of buildings has changed in China over the centuries. Through the different styles we can immerse in different historical period of China and appreciate more the history of this former celestial empire
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alexandra L
Petaling Jaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia134 contributions
Far more than just a historical mansion..
Jun 2015 • Friends
3rd day @ Hangzhou. Door ticket: RMB 20, Tour guide: RMB 80 (scenic explanation)
Transport: Bus 801, in front of hotel SSAW.

TIPS:
a) Provide free tour guide at scheduled time. First session is 10am.

Aside from visiting a well-preserved Qing's mansion, what really touched my heart is the life story of Hu Xue Yan... what has made his success and as well his fall. He once before is the richest man in Jiang Nan. If you pay enough attention on how he has designed and planned his residence, we can know that he is a highly ambitious politician on powers pursued ... how to live with a luxury and tasteful life. Hu Xue Yan is a very creative and innovative man as well. The residence has adopted a replaceable window panels system, modern tiles laying pattern and etc. Fantastic and educating trip.

Do engaged a tour guide if u miss out the free service one. U will never able to learn so much without the detail explanation from them.
Written June 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GOTOHZ H
GOTOHZ H
50 contributions
“Red Top Official Merchant”
Aug 2014 • Friends
Xueyan Hu is a super-rich merchant in Hangzhou, who is famous as the “red top official merchant”. This means he is a government official and a businessman as well. The residence was built in 1872 and used precious building materials which can be comparable to the emperor of the Imperial Palace. The design of the residence is sophisticated and a marvelous creation excelling nature. Former residence of Xueyan Hu is the biggest folk garden in China. After visiting this garden, you will marvel at the luxurious life of Xueyan Hu.

Package tour is an ideal choice for those who know little about Xueyan Hu. When I visit the residence, I wasn’t with a group, so I missed many interesting points of the residence. If you don’t want to have a package tour, you’d better follow other groups and listen to the guide’s explanation. It’s a better way to save money. By the way, the ticket is only 20 RMB and it is valuable.
Written September 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
monique l
Moorpark, CA263 contributions
A stunning residence
Feb 2012 • Couples
My husband and I visited this huge and gorgeous residence of a former wealthy businessman and at the same time a high ranked official. We were accompanied by our personal guide who gave us all the useful informations. This residence covers almost the entire block with very detailed and sophisticated constructions. Many historians believe that Mr. Hu was actually from other province of China instead of a local of Hangzhou from some stones sculptures on the wall of the atrium and a raised wall (Horse Head Wall), ponds, gardens, furnitures, and French glass windows; one can imagine how wealthy Mr. Hu was. It was amazing to know there's a cave underneath a building which can fit 20 to 30 people to stay inside avoiding the Summer heat. It's also regrettable to learn that Mr. Hu passed away all ruined at the age of 61. The most talk about subject on Mr. Hu is certainly that he had 13 wives! It's totally worth to see and to learn the way wealthy people lived at that period of time.

His Chinese herb pharmacy still opens on an old street in Hangzhou (Hefang Street) and is one of the three most famous pharmacies in China.
Written March 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VM K
Los Angeles, CA101 contributions
Worth the visit only if not too much to do
May 2019 • Friends
China has a lot of historical sits worth to visit. I don't see this place very special. I was there only because of my tour group arrange it. It was not my choice to go there at all.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ger_tan82
Singapore, Singapore44 contributions
A step back in time
Nov 2018 • Family
We roamed around the mansion ourselves and it was so peaceful and beautiful. Suggest to spend around 1.5 - 2 hrs to truly appreciate the house. We regretted not getting a guide to tell us more about the history and architecture.
Written December 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
konstantinlubsky
Munich, Germany28 contributions
Most impressive sight I saw in China
Oct 2016 • Solo
This is the most beautiful, impressive sight we saw during our 3-weeks tour through classical China! A very nice Chinese garden with a pond in the middle and pavilions and galleries around it. Ok, you can see something similar in other places in China, too. But nowhere else it makes such a perfect, beautiful and harmonic impression. And don't forget about the many interesting rooms, hallways and court yards you find there if you look around the corner. Even the imperial palaces don't have such a high style!

Verdict: If you are in Hangzhou, make sure that you don't miss this one!
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
seowchewsang
Ipoh, Malaysia34 contributions
The ups and downs of a late qing dynasty merchant
Oct 2016 • Couples
While one is in hefang jie, you are already accustom to the many Chinese medical halls that is related to him i.e. hu qing yu tang. He came from rags to riches and back to rags at old age. It is very uncommon for a businessman to be ranked as one of the top officials of the palace as tradition ranked them at a very low status in the society. The residence occupies a big area and the artefacts of the building are just beyond description. You may read the life history of this man from the elaborations on the walls. The entrance fees is around RMB30
Written November 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ccwanna
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia10 contributions
晚清富豪曾经的辉煌
Sep 2016 • Friends
成人入门费为20元。
进门左转是天井，那里停放着非常漂亮的木雕轿子。
往里走有四棵盆栽，向右走经过走廊就可以慢慢了解胡雪岩的一生和这豪宅的建筑特色。
在建筑用材上，采用了银杏木，楠木，酸枝木，紫檀木，南洋杉等名贵木材，装饰上使用砖雕，木雕，石雕，堆雕，彩绘等。喜欢中国传统中建筑的朋友可以细细品味。
其中最吸引我的为金丝楠木厅，屋檐上的雕刻仿佛散发着金光。
另一处亮点则是那古老的通讯系统，让胡老爷可以随时呼唤下人，方便避开夫人呼叫喜爱的小妾？（一笑）
最吸引大家合照的则是芝园啦，有古楼，有假山，有小桥流水还有鱼儿。值得一看。
Tips: Get a tour guide for better experience & understanding if you cannot understand Chinese word as all descriptions inside are in Chinese.
Written September 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Former residence of Xueyan Hu, Hangzhou

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Former residence of Xueyan Hu is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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