Kang Baiwan's Mansions, Ancient manor complex in Gongyi, China.

Kang Baiwan's Mansions is an ancient estate in Gongyi containing multiple courtyards and structures built following traditional Chinese construction principles and spatial organization. The complex integrates cave dwelling sections with solid stone walls, demonstrating how the spaces were arranged for living and storage.

The Kang family began as salt merchants in the Ming dynasty, when the sixth ancestor Kang Shaojing held posts in transport, salt and taxation. Under the Qing they secured a ten-year military supply contract during the campaign against the White Lotus sect, and by 1773 and 1847 received plaques reading 'A Thousand Qing of Good Land'. In 1900 the family donated a million taels of silver to the court fleeing to Xi'an, and Empress Dowager Cixi gave the household the name Kang Baiwan.

The name "Kang Baiwan" comes from a remark attributed to Empress Dowager Cixi, who stayed here in 1901 and reportedly said she had not expected a millionaire in such a mountain valley. The family's motto is carved on the Liuyu plaque in the main hall of the east courtyard, written by the Qing scholar Niu Xuan: leave a margin of skill, salary, wealth and fortune to nature, the court, the people and your descendants.

The site is best visited in the morning when fewer visitors are present, allowing for better exploration of the structures. Comfortable footwear is recommended since the grounds are uneven and feature multiple stairways connecting different levels.

The estate incorporates cave sections directly into the hillside, providing natural temperature control and reducing building material needs. This practical approach shows how residents cleverly used the natural landscape to create comfortable living spaces.