Sai Kwan Mansion (西关大屋), built during the Qing Dynasty, was the grand residence of wealthy merchants in the Sai Kwan (Xiguan) area of Guangzhou, now known as Liwan District. These mansions were large and bright, featuring a blend of hall and garden elements with exquisite decorations. Constructed mostly with brick and wood, they had distinctive architectural features, such as blue-brick walls, granite foundations, and imposing front doors made of granite. The layout followed the traditional central hall style, extending deeply into the property. With spacious areas, the mansions included living rooms, small halls, study rooms, and gardens. Most of these homes were built by comprador merchants, representing the unique characteristics of Xiguan.
At their peak, there were over 800 Sai Kwan Mansions, but with the destruction that occurred during the early Republic of China, fewer than 10 remain today. Some of the most famous mansions were “Liang Zizhengdi (梁资政第)” at 18 Baoyuan North Street, “Deng Gongbaodi (邓宫保第)” on Duobao Road, and the “Zhong Family Garden (钟家花园)” on Baohua Road, most of which no longer exist. One notable exception is the Xiaohuafangzhai (小画舫斋, Small Painted Boat Studio), the last remaining prominent mansion.
Xiaohuafangzhai, located on Litchi Bay and built in 1902, is a circular garden-style mansion with a unique blend of Lingnan architectural features. The front entrance faces south on Sanlianzhi Street, and the rear entrance opens north onto Fengyuan Street. The mansion’s name, “Xiaohuafangzhai,” was inscribed by the late Qing calligrapher Su Ruohu. The structure is adorned with smooth white granite and meticulously crafted Dongguan blue brick. Inside the main entrance is a delicately carved wooden screen with red flower glass. The mansion features a long corridor and a half pavilion named “Shijing Pavilion.” Its west wing, shaped like a boat, gives the mansion its name. Additionally, the house contains carved blue glass Manchu windows facing Litchi Bay and an ancestral hall to the north.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-81939917 |
Location and Transportation
Sai Kwan Mansion is located at No. 82 Fengyuan North Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 2, 25, 55, 74, or 270 and get off at Duobao Road Crossing Stop (多宝路口站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Sai Kwan Mansion is Changshou Road (长寿路) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit E, walk about 400 meters to the west to reach the attraction.
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