Zhengding Rongguo Mansion is located in Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It is a complex of antique-style buildings constructed based on the description of the Rongguo Mansion in the classic Chinese literary work Dream of the Red Chamber. It is now a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area's core feature is recreating the life scenes of the Rongguo Mansion in Dream of the Red Chamber. Its architectural style strictly follows the regulations of Qing Dynasty palace architecture, with a rigorous layout and magnificent momentum. It is one of the earlier large-scale film and television shooting bases built in China and an important window for displaying Red Chamber culture.
Rongguo Mansion covers an area of about 40,000 square meters, with a building area of 17,000 square meters. It has more than 400 rooms and more than 100 corridors. The buildings in the scenic area are divided into the central, eastern, and western routes. The central route is the main building complex within the mansion, including the Rongguo Mansion Main Gate, Outer Ceremonial Gate, South-Facing Hall, Inner Ceremonial Gate, and Rongxi Hall; the eastern route is Jia She's Courtyard; the western route is Jia Zheng's Courtyard, and there are also distinctive courtyards such as Lady Jia's Courtyard and Wang Xifeng's Courtyard, comprehensively restoring the layout and appearance of the Rongguo Mansion in Dream of the Red Chamber.
Historical Culture
Zhengding Rongguo Mansion was first built in 1984, jointly constructed by China Central Television and the Zhengding County People's Government. Its original purpose was to provide a real-life setting for the filming of the TV series Dream of the Red Chamber. The project lasted more than a year and was officially completed in 1986. It immediately became the main filming location for the 1987 version of Dream of the Red Chamber. A large number of classic scenes in the series were filmed here, such as "Imperial Consort Yuan's Visit to Her Family" and "Daiyu Enters the Mansion."
The completion of Rongguo Mansion not only promoted the spread of Dream of the Red Chamber culture but also injected vitality into the cultural tourism industry of Zhengding County. As an important carrier of Chinese Red Chamber culture, the scenic area displays the cultural connotations of Dream of the Red Chamber from multiple angles through architecture, furnishings, exhibits, and more, attracting many Red Chamber researchers and enthusiasts to visit. In addition, Rongguo Mansion also drove the development of domestic film and television base tourism, becoming a successful example of combining film and television culture with the tourism industry. To this day, film and television works continue to be shot here.
Main Attractions
Rongguo Mansion Main Gate
The Rongguo Mansion Main Gate is the front gate of Rongguo Mansion, built according to the regulations of Qing Dynasty princely mansions. It is three bays wide, with a hip-and-gable roof covered with green glazed tiles, and a plaque reading "Rongguo Mansion" hanging under the eaves. On both sides of the gate are a pair of mighty stone lions. In front of the gate are mounting stones and hitching posts, fully displaying the grandeur of a wealthy family. The design of the main gate strictly follows the description of the Rongguo Mansion front gate in Dream of the Red Chamber and is a landmark building showing the status and majesty of Rongguo Mansion.
Rongxi Hall
Rongxi Hall is the core building on the central route of Rongguo Mansion. It is the main residence of Jia Zheng and his wife and also the place where important celebrations are held and distinguished guests are received. In the center of the hall hangs the plaque "Rongxi Hall," and on both sides are couplets written in the emperor's own hand. The interior furnishings are magnificent, with red sandalwood tables and chairs, antique vases, calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, and more, fully displaying the luxury of an aristocratic family. Rongxi Hall is grand in scale, five bays wide and three bays deep. It is one of the highest-ranking buildings in Rongguo Mansion, recreating the scene in Dream of the Red Chamber described as "Pearls and jades shine before the seat, and ceremonial robes glow like mist in the hall."
Lady Jia's Courtyard
Lady Jia's Courtyard is located on the western route of Rongguo Mansion. It is Lady Jia's residence and reflects her noble status in the family. The courtyard consists of a main house and east and west wing rooms, with an elegant layout. Flowers, plants, and trees are planted in the courtyard, creating a quiet environment. The main house is exquisitely furnished, with arhat beds, flower stands, curio shelves, and other furniture, decorated with embroidery, hanging screens, and other items, revealing simplicity and warmth throughout. The courtyard also includes Lady Jia's living room, reception hall, and more, restoring scenes of Lady Jia's daily life, banquets, and gatherings with her children and grandchildren.
Wang Xifeng's Courtyard
Wang Xifeng's Courtyard is located on the east side of the central route of Rongguo Mansion and is the residence of Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian. The courtyard is small and exquisite. The main house is "Rongqing Hall." The interior furnishings are gorgeous yet lively, reflecting not only Wang Xifeng's status as housekeeper but also her personality traits. The east and west wing rooms in the courtyard are respectively the living quarters of maids such as Ping'er. The overall layout is compact and fully functional, vividly displaying the living environment of Wang Xifeng, "a hero among the powdered ranks," in Dream of the Red Chamber.
Lin Daiyu's Courtyard
Lin Daiyu's Courtyard is located on the western route of Rongguo Mansion, adjacent to Lady Jia's Courtyard. It is where Lin Daiyu lived after entering the mansion. The courtyard is quiet and elegant. The main house is named "Xiaoxiang Lodge," taken from the name of the "Xiaoxiang Lodge" where Daiyu lived in Dream of the Red Chamber. Bamboo is planted in the courtyard, symbolizing Daiyu's noble character. The interior furnishings are simple and elegant, with a desk, qin platform, bookshelves, and more, matching Daiyu's image as a literati. Here, multiple scenes of Daiyu reading, playing the qin, and getting along with Baoyu and other relatives and friends are restored.
Jia Zheng's Study
Jia Zheng's Study is located on the central route of Rongguo Mansion and is the place where Jia Zheng handles affairs and reads. The bookshelves in the study are filled with books of various kinds. Landscape paintings and calligraphy works hang on the walls. The four treasures of the study are placed on the desk. The overall atmosphere is solemn and elegant, reflecting Jia Zheng's cultural accomplishment and serious character as a feudal scholar-official. The arrangement of the study strictly follows the description of Jia Zheng's study in Dream of the Red Chamber and is an important place for displaying the cultural atmosphere of Rongguo Mansion.
Lixiang Court
Lixiang Court is located in the southeast corner of Rongguo Mansion. It was originally a place for the Duke of Rongguo to rest in his later years. Later, it became the residence of Aunt Xue when she brought Xue Pan and Xue Baochai to stay temporarily in Rongguo Mansion. The courtyard stands independently, with a quiet environment. Pear trees are planted in the courtyard, hence the name "Lixiang Court." The architectural layout in the courtyard is simple, with a main house and wing rooms fully equipped. It restores the scene in Dream of the Red Chamber when Xue Baochai lived here and is also one of the places where plots such as the "Golden Jade Destiny" took place.
Food
Zhengding Ma Family Chicken
Zhengding Ma Family Chicken is one of the most representative foods around Rongguo Mansion and has a history of more than 100 years. Local free-range farm chickens are selected and braised with dozens of spices. The finished product is golden in color, tender in texture, soft but not falling apart, and rich in aroma. There are many time-honored Ma Family Chicken shops in Zhengding Ancient City near Rongguo Mansion. Tourists can go to taste it after touring. It is a must-choice food for experiencing Zhengding flavor.
Zhengding Eight Great Bowls
Zhengding Eight Great Bowls is a local traditional banquet dish, consisting of eight stewed dishes, four meat and four vegetarian. Meat dishes include stewed chicken, stewed meat, stewed meatballs, and more. Vegetarian dishes include stewed tofu, stewed vermicelli, stewed cabbage, and more. The Eight Great Bowls emphasize heat control. The soup is rich and the taste is mellow, reflecting the heavy flavor of northern cuisine. Restaurants around Rongguo Mansion mostly serve it. It is suitable for group dining and for experiencing Zhengding's food culture.
Cylinder Stove Sesame Cake
Cylinder Stove Sesame Cake is a specialty snack of Zhengding. It uses flour and sesame as the main ingredients and is baked in a cylinder stove. It has a crispy texture and is salty and delicious. Vendors often sell it in the streets and alleys near Rongguo Mansion. The price is affordable, and it can be eaten as a snack during the tour. It tastes even better with local mutton offal soup.
Tickets：
As of August 11, 2025, the ticket price is 40 yuan per person.
You can search for the official public account "Zhengding Rongguo Mansion Scenic Area" on WeChat to get the latest updates.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are adjusted according to the seasons: summer (April 1-October 31) is 8:00-18:00, with last entry at 17:30; winter (November 1-March 31 of the following year) is 8:30-17:00, with last entry at 16:30. During statutory holidays and peak tourist periods, opening hours may be appropriately extended. Visitors are advised to check the latest information through the scenic area's official channels before traveling to avoid delaying their itinerary.
Tour Route：
Visitors can enter the scenic area from the Rongguo Mansion Main Gate. First, visit the main gate and the surrounding stone lions, mounting stones, and other features to feel the grandeur of Rongguo Mansion. Then enter the central route and visit in order the Outer Ceremonial Gate, South-Facing Hall, and Inner Ceremonial Gate, reaching the core building Rongxi Hall to appreciate the core layout of Rongguo Mansion. Next, go to the western route and visit Lady Jia's Courtyard and Lin Daiyu's Courtyard to experience the living environment of the female members of the mansion. After that, turn to the eastern route and visit Jia She's Courtyard and Jia Zheng's Study to learn about the activity places of the male members of the family. Finally, go to Lixiang Court in the southeast corner to experience the living scene of Aunt Xue's family. The entire tour route is about 1.5 kilometers, and the suggested visiting time is 2-3 hours. It allows a comprehensive appreciation of the architectural style of Rongguo Mansion and the cultural connotations of Dream of the Red Chamber.
Transportation：
Public transportation: From downtown Shijiazhuang, take Metro Line 1 to "Zhengding Ancient City" Station, then transfer to Zhengding buses 137, 143, 164, etc., and get off at "Rongguo Mansion" Station. There are also long-distance buses from downtown Shijiazhuang directly to Zhengding. After getting off at Zhengding Bus Station, it takes about 5 minutes by taxi to reach Rongguo Mansion, costing about 8 yuan.
Self-driving: Starting from downtown Shijiazhuang, drive north along Tiyu North Street, cross Zilong Bridge into Zhengding County, drive east along Changshan Road to Xingrong Road and turn right. The scenic area parking lot charges 5 yuan/hour.
Taxi/ride-hailing: Taking a taxi from downtown Shijiazhuang to Rongguo Mansion is about 30 kilometers in total, costing about 60-80 yuan; taking a taxi within Zhengding County to Rongguo Mansion generally costs 5-15 yuan depending on the starting point.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Rongxi Hall: The core building of Rongguo Mansion, five bays wide and three bays deep. The furnishings in the hall are luxurious, restoring the important activity place of an aristocratic family in Dream of the Red Chamber. It is a key attraction for understanding the hierarchy and culture of Rongguo Mansion.
Lady Jia's Courtyard: A courtyard showing Lady Jia's noble status in the family. The architectural layout is elegant, and the furnishings are simple and ancient, restoring Lady Jia's life scenes in Dream of the Red Chamber and reflecting the ethical order of a feudal aristocratic family.
Lin Daiyu's Courtyard (Xiaoxiang Lodge): Daiyu's residence restored according to the description in Dream of the Red Chamber. Bamboo is planted throughout the courtyard, and the furnishings are simple and elegant, vividly displaying Daiyu's literati temperament and living environment. It is a must-visit place for Red Chamber enthusiasts.
Rongguo Mansion Main Gate: The landmark entrance of Rongguo Mansion, built strictly according to the regulations of Qing Dynasty princely mansions. It reflects the grandeur of Rongguo Mansion and is a popular spot for photos.
Travel Suggestions：
The attractions in Rongguo Mansion are compactly arranged and rich in cultural connotations. It is recommended to arrange 2-3 hours for the visit. You can combine it with a scenic area guide to gain an in-depth understanding of related allusions in Dream of the Red Chamber.
Spring and autumn have pleasant climates and are suitable for visiting. At this time, the vegetation in the scenic area is lush and the scenery is beautiful; in summer, avoid the midday high-temperature period; in winter, you can experience the winter atmosphere of northern courtyards.
The scenic area provides electronic guide rental services for about 20 yuan per device. You can also hire a scenic area guide for about 50 yuan per time, which helps to gain an in-depth understanding of the background stories and cultural connotations of each attraction.
Rongguo Mansion is adjacent to Zhengding Longxing Temple, Zhengding Ancient City Wall, and other attractions. These attractions can be arranged in the same itinerary to fully experience Zhengding's historical culture.
Fans of the 1987 version of Dream of the Red Chamber can familiarize themselves with the scenes in the series in advance and look for corresponding filming locations during the visit, such as the route by which Daiyu enters the mansion and the place where Imperial Consort Yuan visits her family, adding more fun to the visit.
Precautions：
Most of the buildings and furnishings in the scenic area are antique-style buildings and cultural relic replicas. Visitors should protect the facilities, not touch or carve on them at will, and not climb on ancient buildings.
Keep the scenic area quiet and clean. Do not spit, litter, or make loud noises. Observe public order.
Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area. Flammable, explosive, and other dangerous goods are strictly prohibited.
Some buildings are dimly lit and the ground may be uneven. Please pay attention to safety when visiting, especially the elderly and children should walk carefully.
When taking photos, follow the regulations of the scenic area. The use of flash is prohibited in some areas to avoid damaging the furnishings.
The scenic area has souvenir shops and small dining spots. You may also bring your own drinking water and snacks, but please keep the environment clean.
There are many tourists during holidays. It is recommended to travel at off-peak times or purchase tickets in advance through official channels to reduce queuing time.