Former residence of Xueyan Hu
Former residence of Xueyan Hu
4.5
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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
215 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
84
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Celsius2
Sydney, Australia41 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralpo Stankic
Hangzhou, China461 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra L
Petaling Jaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia133 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay
Los Angeles, CA27 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
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.
Written December 14, 2019
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.
VM K
Los Angeles, CA93 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GOTOHZ H
50 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
monique l
Moorpark, CA259 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cornwall15
Durham, NC228 contributions
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....
Written December 29, 2019
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.
ger_tan82
Singapore, Singapore47 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
konstantinlubsky
Munich, Germany28 contributions
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!
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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