Former Residence of Gan Xi

The Former Residence of Gan Xi is a grand mansion in Nanjing with more than 300 rooms spread across multiple courtyards, displaying traditional Chinese architectural elements and stone carvings. The property features the classic courtyard layout with asymmetrically arranged buildings, decorative gates, and elaborately designed verandas.

The mansion was built during the Jiaqing Emperor period between 1796 and 1820, when Gan Fu, the father of Gan Xi, established this property. The residence developed into a major family holding and was later converted into a museum to preserve the architecture and culture of that era.

The building now serves as the Nanjing Folk Museum, displaying collections of Yixing ceramic teapots, paper cutting art, miniature engravings, and Chinese opera designs. Visitors encounter these traditional crafts within the historic rooms and learn about local artistic practices.

The property stands within walking distance north of Sanshanjie Station on the Nanjing Metro, making it easy to reach. Guided tours explain the architectural features and help visitors navigate the many rooms and courtyards.

The property follows a surprising design convention with a total of ninety-nine and a half rooms instead of one hundred. This constraint existed because ordinary citizens were legally restricted from owning one hundred or more rooms, a number reserved exclusively for the emperor.