Prince Gong's Mansion and Beijing Duck

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Straight from Wikipedia (I apologize, but I've started getting lazy). Sam actually told me most of the Mansion's history while we walked through it (together initially) and translated a few displays for me!

Prince Gong's Mansion (Chinese: 恭王府; pinyin: Gōng Wáng Fǔ) or Gong Wang Fu Museum is located in the western part of central Beijing, China, north of the Shichahai Lake. Consisting of large mansions in the typical siheyuan laylout and gardens, Prince Gong's Mansion is known as one of the most ornate and extravagant residence compounds in all of Beijing.

It was constructed in 1777 for minister He Shen (和珅) during the Qianlong-reign in the late Qing Dynasty. From a young age, He Shen got the trust of Emperor Qianlong, and was able to make large promotion in the imperial administration. In this way he became very wealthy. Because of accusations of corruption, He Shen was executed and the mansion was confiscated in 1799, under the reign of Emperor Jiaqing in favor of Prince Qìng Jùnwáng (庆郡王), the 17th and youngest son of Emperor Qianlong. In 1851, Emperor Xianfeng assigned it to his brother Prince Gong. It is his name that is currently given to the compound

For how tucked away, through Houtongs and hidden/small streets, there were several large tourist groups, but all Chinese. I was the sole white person in the entire complex. The stares were quite entertaining, ha. Prince Gong's Library has a beautiful roofing pattern and chandeliers. The spiritual and somewhat feng shui influence of the architecture was shown most visibly by the orientation of the buildings and doors with Spirit-Blocking Walls in front of any South-facing doorways. The mansion is filled with historic, cultural, and artistic little treasures such as a small tribunal house for four gods I came across (Fox, Rat, and I forgot the others), the Suzhou-style rock gardens, tiny creek bridges, a line of Chinese lanterns (probably more splendid at night), a few relics, and a mangy half-dead lazy but satisfied looking white cat. One of the coolest natural structures I saw were stalagmites formed from years of tree sap.

I relaxed briefly in a pavilion in the middle of a pond located in the Southeast section of the Mansion (I think), listening to music, glancing at the tourist groups occasionally, and watching the ducks, swans, and cat play together.After wandering around for a little bit longer and surprising the hell out of one visitor who was surprised first off to see someone this far back in an isolated portion of the mansion and second for it to be a foreigner, I headed back toward the front to meet up with Sam and was thoroughly amused by two staff who would simply not stop glancing in my direction on and off, then giggling or whispering something, then turning momentarily before glancing back again. I came to the conclusion that they just wanted a picture with a foreigner and as soon as Sam arrived I happily obliged - come on, what'd you think I was going to say, that they thought I was hot or something! I'm not THAT arrogant, I know I'm generally a very uninteresting individual who is nowhere near handsome especially with my hair like that ...what was I thinking, hahaha.

Sam and I hurried back to the hostel for a quick shower and to get a lil dressed up before our whole group left for the restaurant - The Big Duck: Beijing Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant at 14 Qianmen Xidajie. The only purpose of this meal, to try an authentic Beijing Roast Duck! And I guess to share all of our experiences and meet up again with Helen and Cherry's group. We took Line 1 - which ended up being the most packed (with people) subway or any space I'd ever been in. Guess it was rush hour around 5-6pm. There was even a pusher!! Be sure to protect your pockets if you take the same subway when your here, someone could steal your wallet and you wouldn't even be able to turn around to see who it was, haha.

Reservations are recommended and maybe even telling them what time to bring out your duck in advance WITH the reservation because it took over 40 minutes for us to get pretty much any food (maybe it was cause they knew we were a cheap group, but still!). Ted fell asleep numerous times, made for some good pictures, but we were all tired, very hungry...and becoming very grumpy. When they finally brought the duck out, they took their time cutting it in front of us and then we had to work out the exact way to split it up before we could all dig in. With all the seasonings - sugar among others and some sauce that really brought out the duck broth's flavor it actually was quite delicious - extremely tender, rich, and not complicated at all to eat - just roll it up in a tortilla and enjoy! Though it was of course, still expensive, even when splitting 6 ways. One aspect I really enjoyed is how they used every part of the duck including the bones and etc to help make the soup, broth, sauces and other dishes. Well I guess they didn't use the wings...who wants a pillow?!

I do recommend the restaurant, but solely because it was the only placed we tried Beijing Duck...and did find it be quite delicious - just bring a large group and don't expect a feast or anything - though you do get some free fruit/dessert that helped after the duck.

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Photos

Beijing Duck
How the duck came out

Spirit Block/Wall
Supposed to keep evil spirits (that can only travel in straight lines - south?) out

Tourists everywhere!
I caught a nice nap on that isle though

The number of tours themselves was sight
No where near as large as Huangshan groups I guess though, ha

Hall toward the back of the mansion
Cheesy bamboo paint-job