Prince Gong's Mansion

Palace Qing-era princely residence and preserved Beijing courtyard mansion

A Qing-dynasty princely residence in Beijing, noted for restored courtyards, classical gardens and a small museum; tourists arrive for architecture, teak halls, teahouse performances and proximity to Shichahai.

Main image

Prince Gong’s Mansion (Gong Wang Fu) is a large Qing dynasty princely residence in Beijing, notable for its preserved courtyards and classical garden. The core complex dates to the late 18th century and is an important example of urban aristocratic architecture.

Constructed in the late 18th century, the compound was associated with high-ranking Qing officials and later came to be identified with Prince Gong (Yixin) in the 19th century. The site underwent significant restoration in the late 20th and early 21st centuries and now operates as a public museum and cultural venue.

The mansion sits to the west of central Beijing’s Shichahai area, north of the Forbidden City, and is accessible from central Beijing by public transport and on-foot routes through the old city districts.

  • Historical significance: Originally built in the late 18th century and associated with high-ranking Qing officials, it is one of Beijing's best-preserved princely residences.
  • Visitor value: The complex includes formal courtyards and a classical Qing garden restored and opened to the public as a museum and cultural site.

What to See #

  • Front courtyards and residential halls: The front courtyards and main gate lead into a sequence of residential halls and corridors arranged around courtyards, typical of Qing princely mansions.
  • Imperial garden and rockeries: The restored private garden contains rockeries, pavilions and ponds laid out in the classical Chinese garden style of the Qing era, used historically for leisure by the mansion's occupants.
  • Museum rooms and displays: Exhibition rooms in the mansion present period furniture, costumes and displays about the mansion's 18th- and 19th-century history and restoration work.
Prince Gong's Mansion
Prince Gong's Mansion (Gong Wang Fu), 17 Qianhai West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
39.9366, 116.3799
Typically 8:30am-5:00pm (last entry varies); closed some holidays - check local sources
Admission around CNY 40-60 (varies); check local site for current fees

How to Get to Prince Gong's Mansion #

Prince Gong’s Mansion is in central Beijing’s Xicheng District near Shichahai. The nearest metro stations are Shichahai (Line 8/nearby transfers) and Beihai North (Line 6/8 depending on walking route). Taxis and buses also serve the area; it is walkable from the Houhai and Beihai scenic areas.

Tips for Visiting Prince Gong's Mansion #

  • Buy tickets in advance during national holidays; the complex is popular and can have long queues.
  • Visit the adjoining gardens and the small exhibition rooms that explain Prince Gong's role in late Qing court politics.
  • Photography inside certain rooms may be restricted; follow onsite signage.

Best Time to Visit Prince Gong's Mansion #

Best visited in spring or autumn for pleasant temperatures and garden displays.

Spring
March-May · 5-20°C (41-68°F)
Pleasant temperatures and flowering in the gardens.
Autumn
September-November · 10-20°C (50-68°F)
Clear skies and comfortable walking temperatures; fewer dust and heat issues than summer.

Weather & Climate near Prince Gong's Mansion #

Climate

Prince Gong's Mansion's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (572 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 117 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
MaySeptemberJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -9°C. The driest month with just 5 mm.

61 Good

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-9°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -6°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.

71 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

16 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 27°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.2h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 31°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
14.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (201 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
22° 31°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

201 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (155 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 30°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

155 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
13.5h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Almost no rain.

71 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1° 10°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Almost no rain.

61 Good

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

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