Mandarin Zheng Guanying's House at Barra Street is an excellent example of a traditional Chinese residential compound house in Macau. It belonged to the prominent Chinese literary figure Zheng Guanying, whose writings influenced both Dr Sun Yat Sen and Mao Tse Tung. The house is adjacent to Lilau Square, and extends for over 120 metres along Barra Street.
Mandarin Zheng Guanying's House covers an area of about 4000 square metres. It includes a gatehouse, courtyards, servants' quarters and the master living area. The entrances of the individual houses are oriented to face the northwest, differentiating it from the usual direction of Chinese houses, which usually prefers the northeasterly direction.
The buildings at the Mandarin Zhang Guanying's House are Chinese in design, with a subtle eclectic fusion of other styles and influences. Chinese details are in the superstructure, materials, and ornamentation, while Western and other foreign influences are seen in the plasterwork as well as the use of window panels of Indian origin.
Photo of Mandarin's House
Gate to Mandarin's House - unfortunately it was closed for restoration when I visited (9 November, 2007)
© Timothy Tye
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