Built in 1869, Mandarin’s House has over 60 rooms and was the ancestral home of Zheng Guanying, an influential author-merchant whose readers included emperors, Dr Sun Yatsen and Chairman Mao. The compound features a moon gate, a passageway for sedans, delightful courtyards, exquisite rooms and a main hall with French windows, all arranged in that labyrinthine style typical of certain Chinese architecture.