With a fortune accumulated over the course of many generations, Mou Molin (1789-1870) had this manor built for his family. The manor was not finished until 1935, covering an area of some 2 hectares with more than 480 rooms, at a cost of 430,000 taels of silver, or roughly RMB 86 million yuan in today's money.

It is said that fengshui masters were invited to check the location of the manor to make sure the family would be blessed with a substantial fortune and good luck. Fengshui is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. Mou's manor is supposedly located in a prime area where prosperous energy (Wang Qi) and auspicious energy (Ling Qi) from the universe meet. A 200-plus-year old tree in the manor has been enshrined by locals who believe they can receive a blessing from the tree by scratching the trunk.

To retain its mystical energy, the manor is shaped like an ancient lock. The manor is comprised of three courtyards and includes several Siheyuans, which are quadrangular areas surrounded by houses on each side.

The manor's layout was designed with social hierarchy in mind: deceased ancestors were enshrined in the hall; the lord lived upstairs; his wife, concubines and offspring lived downstairs; and the servants occupied a dormitory area. The Mou manor includes barns, a mill, a pharmacy, and even a funerary facility for the placement of coffins.

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Loitering in Stories

This is the place where the lord received guests and held banquets. The room was decorated with paintings and calligraphy from eminent artists.

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