The Gongyi itinerary arrived at the Kang Million Manor, one of the three largest manors in China (Liu Wencai Manor in Sichuan/Mou Erhei Manor in Shandong), and the most representative large-scale landlord manor building integrating agriculture, officialdom, and commerce in the Central Plains during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is now a national key cultural relic protection unit and a national 4A scenic spot.
"Kang Million" was a name bestowed by Empress Dowager Cixi after the Kang family donated one million taels of silver, which later became the collective name of the family.
The Kang family started their business in the early Ming Dynasty, migrating from Hongtong, Shanxi to Gong County, Henan. They initially developed comprehensively through farming, fishing, and sericulture. During the reigns of Kangxi and Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, they entered a period of rapid development, owning more than 4,000 mu of land.
During the reigns of Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng, they entered their heyday, began cooperating with the Qing court, and received large supply bookings for military uniforms and quilts. Family members entered the imperial court, and the family owned land and shops in multiple provinces across the country.
During the reigns of Tongzhi and Guangxu, around the time Cixi bestowed the name "Kang Million," the Kang family also began to decline, until the end of their centuries-long prosperity during the Republic of China and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
The existing area of the Kang family manor is considerable (33 courtyards, 53 buildings, more than 1,300 rooms, and 73 cave dwellings). The main residential area is relatively well-preserved, with most of the buildings remaining from the Qing Dynasty. The overall highlights include the architectural layout, carving art, and plaque culture.
The tour takes about two hours. Having seen many Shanxi courtyard houses before, the carvings here are mainly practical and simple, not as dense, and the cave dwellings and slate houses have local characteristics. The plaques are the most unique, including imperial gifts, family mottos, business-related plaques, and donations from the common people, etc. A large number of plaques can be seen in the main residential area.
The entrance fee is 50 yuan (free for female visitors today). It is worth a visit. You can hire a guide or do some research in advance. The number of visitors is usually manageable. It is not far from the city center, with direct buses to the vicinity and convenient taxi access.
Post by VireliaNyxhaven234$ | Mar 8, 2025
