Zeng Guofan's Former Residence,also called Fuhou Garden, is situated in Heye Town, Shuanfeng County, Central Hunan Province's Loudi City. It includes a half-moon pool (半月塘), gatehouse (门楼), main buildings (进主楼), Qiuque Pavilion (求缺斋), Guipu Pavilion (归朴斋), Yifang Hall (艺芳馆), and Siyun Hall (思云馆), of which Siyun Hall was built by Zeng Guofan himself in 1857. Covering an area of more than 40,000 square metres (430,000 sq ft) with construction area of 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft), Fuhou Mansion, the most completely preserved rural marquis mansion in China, symmetrically distributes the buildings along a central axis with a scattered layout and open view that is large in scale and solemn in appearance.
Zeng Guofan (1811-1872) was Han Nationality with former name Zeng Zicheng. He was born in Shuangfeng County, Hunan province. He was a very influential official in late Qing Dynasty, and was also the founder and general of
Xiang Army. His ranks of official position had been up to the Viceroy of Liangjiang, Viceroy of Zhili, Grand Academician of Hall of Martial Valor and had been titled as the First Class MarquessYiyong.
The former residence was built beginning fromthe 4th Year of the Reign of Emperor Tongzhi (1865) and ending in the 1st Year of the Reign of Emperor Guangxu (1875).
Former Residence of Zeng Guofan is rich in tourism resources, Scenic Spots of Former Residence of Zeng Guofan include Half-Moon Pond, Gate House, Main Buildings of Baben Yard and three Book-Collection Buildings including Gong Ji Book-Collection Building, Pu Ji Book-Collection Building, Fang Ji Book-Collection Building, Emerald Green Lotus Lake, Tower for Birds and Cranes, Chess Pavilion, Guidance Pavilion as well asParents Missing Pavilion that was built under the direction of Zeng Guofan himself in the 7th Year of the Reign of Emperor
Xianfeng etc. This residence totally covers an area of over
40,000 m2 including
10,000 m2 of building area. Most valuable part in
Fuhou Garden is Book-Collection Buildings that totally store a volume of over 300,000 books and one of the largest well-kept Book-Collection Buildings in our nation.
In January, 1996, Zeng Guofan's Former Residence was promulgated as Provincial Cultural Relics Preservation Organ by the government of
Hunan province; in May, 2006, it was promulgated by the State Council as Cultural Relics of National Importance under the Protection of the State in the 6th group.