Hangzhou’s night-time cultural offerings just got a new highlight. The former residence of Hu Xueyan has recently launched an immersive evening experience called Night Tour of the Hu Mansion, adding a fresh cultural landmark to the city’s after-dark tourism landscape.
Tapping into the growing trend of nighttime cultural tourism, the project traces the key turning points in the life of Hu Xueyan—a late-Qing “red-top” merchant who held both official rank and business power—and weaves together narrative storytelling, light-and-shadow art, and performances of intangible cultural heritage to create an immersive journey through the ethos of Eastern mercantile culture. In this nighttime theatrical experience, the “finest mansion south of the Yangtze” becomes a living stage. The story revolves around the core idea that “the way of commerce is the way of benevolence,” bringing to life the traditional merchant virtues of integrity, resilience, and righteousness. It’s ideal for students on study tours, while also offering families a high-quality cultural outing.
Visitors can wander through the moonlit courtyards and pavilions, following the storyline into the legendary life of the once-mighty merchant, and soaking up the unique charm of Hangzhou’s historical heritage blended with contemporary cultural tourism.
The night tour makes use of six indoor halls—including the Nanmu Hall and Qingya Hall—as well as the traditional Chinese garden layout. It adopts an innovative model that combines “immersive viewing” with “free-roaming garden exploration,” creating a multi-layered experience. People can tailor their visit as they like: stroll through the garden at will, interact with characters like the mansion’s steward to receive blessings, and get a vivid feel of the refined domestic life in this century-old residence—or simply lose themselves in the interplay of light, shadow, and garden scenery, savoring the unique poetic charm of a classical Chinese garden after dark.
The tour unfolds in five chapters: Opening at the Sedan Hall, Conversations with the Spirit of the Objects, Blessings by Lantern Light, Xueyan’s Secret Orders, and The Grand Banquet at Zhiyuan. Through interactive performances, these episodes string together Hu Xueyan’s life story—his rise through integrity and his legacy of benevolence—making the culture of mercantile ethics tangible, visual, and deeply experiential. It’s yet another standout addition to Hangzhou’s integrated nighttime scenes.
According to the site management, visitors are free to explore the entire mansion grounds, catch all five theatrical episodes, and interact with the performers, stepping right into the historical scenes. On-site guidance, interactive stamp-collecting activities, and visitor information services are all available to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Those who take part in the activities and collect stamps may even be in for a little surprise. In the coming days, Hangzhou Daily will be teaming up with the Hu Xueyan Former Residence to roll out special promotional offers.
Visitor Tips
Opening hours: 18:30-22:00 (adjusted year-round based on weather and season); last entry at 20:30.
Address: Hu Xueyan’s Former Residence (18 Yuanbao Street, Shangcheng District)
Enquiry: +86 13396510451
Reminder: For more details, follow the official “Night Tour of the Hu Mansion” WeChat public account. Parking near the residence is limited, so please be advised to use public transport.