What kind of architectural art does Hu Xueyan’s former residence in Hangzhou have?
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many officials and business celebrities built their own luxurious mansions. Some of them are still well preserved and have become tourist attractions, allowing people to experience the scene at that time. The former residence of Hu Xueyan is one of the more typical representatives. It is located on Yuanbao Street in the east of the Hangzhou Historical and Cultural Reserve. It was built by Hu Xueyan during the most famous period in the business world of the Qing Dynasty. It cost 3 million taels of silver and took 3 years to complete. It is a fusion of It is a luxurious house that combines the characteristics of Chinese and Western architecture.
As a legendary figure in the business world in the late Qing Dynasty, because he had a good relationship with Zuo Zongtang at that time, he relied on his influence to become a "red-top businessman". From then on, he began his brilliant business achievements, but Due to various reasons, it later experienced great ups and downs, and quickly fell into ruin after its glory.
However, his legendary experience and achievements have been continuously affirmed by future generations. In the social turmoil at that time, he relied on his own efforts to defend his dignity in the business world and used his own efforts. Fight hard to warn future generations. The evaluations of him by later generations are mixed, but we can feel the prosperity of his time through his mansion.
The place where Hu Xueyan’s former residence was built is a geomantic treasure. From the outside, its outer wall is very high, almost 10 meters. When you walk in, you feel like you are standing under the city wall. And its gate is not as luxurious and solemn as we imagined, and it even looks narrow. This is because ancient merchants have always liked to hide everything about themselves, so the gate does not look unassuming. After walking through the gate, the scene inside is breathtaking. Garden ponds, pavilions, houses and rockeries, various buildings highlight the nobility of the owner, and the level of luxury is jaw-dropping.
The materials used in the construction of the house were the most precious at that time, including golden nanmu, rosewood, Araucaria, etc. The design of the entire house has the characteristics of Western architecture, and the carvings on the doors, windows and eaves are called Exquisite, artistic effect is excellent. From this, we can see how rich Hu Xueyan was in his heyday. It is understood that he was involved in banking, real estate, grain, import and export trade, etc. His wealth reached a maximum of 20 million taels of silver. He was a veritable late Qing Dynasty man. The richest man.
But as he became lonely, this mansion was sold by him ten years after it was built. In the end, it was only sold for 100,000 taels of silver, which made people sigh. Nowadays, tickets only cost 20 yuan. Walking around Hu Xueyan's former residence can not only feel the architectural art of the time, but also experience the rise and fall of historical figures. The former residence of the richest man in the late Qing Dynasty was built with 3 million taels of silver. The 20 admission fee is so worth it. What do you think of Hu Xueyan’s former residence? Welcome to leave your footprints in the message area.