Hu Xueyan Former Residence (Hangzhou)

The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, also known as Hu Xueyan's Former Residence, is located at No. 18 Yuanbao Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It was built by Hu Xueyan, a prominent "red-top merchant" in the late Qing Dynasty. Construction began in the eleventh year of the Tongzhi reign (1872) and was completed in the first year of the Guangxu reign (1875), covering an area of 7,230 square meters with a building area of 5,815 square meters. The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan faces north and has a rectangular layout. It consists of three architectural complexes in the east, middle, and west. The middle section is a courtyard with a symmetrical layout along a north-south axis, the eastern complex consists of residential courtyards, and the western section features a garden-style hall and corridor layout. The architectural layout fully considers the needs of the garden environment, reflecting the unity of architectural practicality and spatial layout. It is a typical example of private luxury residences in the late Qing Dynasty in the Jiangnan region of China. Whether in terms of architecture or the furnishings of interior furniture, the meticulous use of materials makes it the most luxurious residence of a Chinese tycoon in the late Qing Dynasty. Hu Xueyan (1823–1885), named Guangyong and styled Xueyan, was a native of Jixi County, Huizhou. He was a famous modern Chinese entrepreneur and politician who founded the century-old Hu Qing Yu Tang pharmacy. For over a century, his experiences and strategies as both an official and a merchant have been a popular topic. His business creed was "no deception" and "genuine fixed prices." Hu Xueyan was awarded a yellow riding jacket and a red mandarin hat for his meritorious service in assisting the recovery of Xinjiang. According to Qing Dynasty practice, only salt merchants during the Qianlong era had worn red hats. However, Hu Xueyan was the only person in history to wear both a red hat and a yellow riding jacket, making him a prominent "red-top merchant" of his time. On June 25, 2006, the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan was announced by the State Council as the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. In 2021, it was selected as one of the "Top Ten Representative Historical and Cultural Buildings" in Hangzhou. Hu Xueyan Former Residence