Wu Daotai Mansion (吴道台府), located in Yangzhou, is a splendid architectural gem hailing from the late Qing Dynasty. This historic mansion was the brainchild of Wu Yin-Sun, a high-ranking official who held the position of Ningbo Daotai, a Qing Dynasty administrative role akin to a regional governor. With an ambitious vision and an investment of 400,000 taels of silver, Wu Daotai enlisted the expertise of craftsmen from Zhejiang to construct a residence that marries the traditional styles of Ningbo and Yangzhou with Western influences.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Wu Daotai mansion
- Attractions near Wu Daotai Mansion
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 30 RMB (1st March – 30th November) 20 RMB (1st December – 28th February) |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0514-87907334 |
Location and Transportation
Wu Daotai Mansion is situated at 41 Taizhou Road in the Guangling District of Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. It is located to the north of Wenchang Middle Road and overlooks the Grand Canal to the east. To get there, tourists can take bus 8, 25, 26, 86, Gucheng Minibus 1, Gucheng Minibus 2, or Tourist Line 1, and get off at Wu Daotai Fu Stop (吴道台府站).
Highlights of Wu Daotai mansion
Ninety-Nine and a Half
Originally sprawling across 7,930 square meters, the mansion now stands at 2,650 square meters. One of the most notable features within this grand estate is the Tsaihai Tower, a library modeled after Ningbo’s famous Tianyi Pavilion. Wu Daotai Mansion takes the form of a rectangular courtyard, adhering to ancient regulations that restricted private residences to no more than 100 rooms. In response, Wu Daotai cleverly built 99.5 rooms, earning it the colloquial name “Ninety-Nine and a Half.” Today, 86 rooms remain, forming a harmonious layout with the main axis comprising the main hall, a Western-style building, the Vermilion Bird Hall, a cool hall, a fish pond, and the Tsaihai Tower. The western section serves as the inner residence, comprised of three courtyards surrounded by winding corridors, separated by expansive stone-paved courtyards that are both lofty and spacious.
Layout of the Mansion
As you enter the grand entrance of Wu Daotai Mansion, you’re greeted by the ornate brick carvings on the lintel above and exquisite stone lions guarding the threshold. Upon crossing the entrance hall, you reach the east-wing ear gate, leading to the Tsaihai Tower in the northeast corner. At its zenith, the Tsaihai Tower housed an impressive collection of 240,000 volumes of books, although regrettably many have been lost over time. Nevertheless, the Wu family’s deep appreciation for culture has cultivated numerous literati and scholars among their descendants.
In front of the Tsaihai Tower lies a sizable fish pond, connected to the surrounding waterways. A portion of the mansion now serves as a restaurant, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a meal while taking in the historic and cultural ambiance through a separate entrance.
