Premier's mansion

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2012-07-12

With the mixed architectural style of Ming and Qing Dynasties, Huangcheng Premier's Mansion has a unique appearance with elements from ancient dwellings, official mansions, ancestral temples, academies, and fortifications. Exquisite brick carvings, wood carvings, stone carvings, huge quantities of distinguished tablets and articles dedicated by emperors are used for decoration.

The inner town consists of 8 parts, including the Imperial Censor Mansion, 125 tiered military mazes in a cave, seven-floored Heshan Tower at a height of 100 feet, Chunqiu Pavilion, Wenchang Pavilion and ancestral temple of the Chen Family.

Premier's mansion
The sunset in Premier's mansion

Premier's mansion
Premier's mansion

The outer town, constructed after Chen Tingjing was appointed the premier, contains Yushu Tower, Premier's Office, Dianhan Hall, Steward House, boudoirs, Eastern Academy, inner chambers for womenfolk, West Park, and Wanghe Pavilion.

Luo Zhewen and Zheng Xiaoxie, renowned experts on historic buildings, spoke highly of the building complex as "the greatest cultural residence in North China".

Premier's mansion
The dictionary Museum

Premier's mansion
A collection of ancient stone tablets

The Chens have raised many talents in succession, including 36 poets whose works are stilled popular among readers, 41 senior students recommended to study at the imperial college, 19 candidates succeeded in the provincial civil service examination and 9 in the national civil service examination, and 6 served as staff in the Imperial Academy.

Over 10 movies and TV series have been produced in the mansion. For example, the TV play series Emperor Kangxi's Dynasty made a stir after being presented by CCTV. Huangcheng Premier's Mansion has attracted millions of tourists from home and aboard each year, and has been praised as "the first oriental ancient castle with twin towns" since its reopening in 1998.

Premier's mansion
The inner town

Premier's mansion
The inner town

Premier's mansion
Premier's mansion

By virtue of development in tourism, Huangcheng Premier's Mansion has been honored the title of "the Famous Historical and Cultural Village in China", "National Cultural Base", "National AAAAA Scenic Spot", "The Best Tourism Scenic Spot of China" and "Top Ten Great Scenic Spots in Shanxi province".