Hoang A Tuong mansion of father and son Hoang Yen Tchao and Hoang A Tuong was built right in the center of Bac Ha, now Bac Ha town, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province – a place known as the “white plateau”.
The reason the mansion was named Hoang A Tuong is because Hoang A Tuong is the son of Hoang Yen Tchao, so he gave him the right to use this luxurious and powerful house in Bac Ha region.
Hoang Yen Tchao and Hoang A Tuong are Tay people but rule in a locality where over 80% of the population is Mong ethnic, so they are nicknamed “Meo kings”.
The luxurious and powerful mansion of the “Cat King” father and son was constructed in 1914 and was completed in 1921. This mansion was built by the French colonialists. to Hoang Yen Tchao so that it would be easier for him to rule over the local people.
The year of completion of the mansion, 1921, is still marked on the roof of the main house. The entire mansion was built on a land area of 4,000 square meters following the Eastern architectural style. – Western combination.
The mansion was built on a hill leaning against Co Tien mountain, in front there is a stream on the right and left with two mountains blocking it. The place where the house was built was built by ants. The Chinese architect chose to follow the Chinese feng shui theory “The mountains and the waters” very firmly.
The mansion is built in a closed rectangular shape. It includes a gate with two rows of outbuildings on both sides that are two stories high and in the middle is the main house. The house was designed by the architect. The French and Chinese designed and built it.
Two rows of annexes, each row has 6 rooms, upper floor, 3 rooms, lower floor, 3 rooms. On the first floor, the two annexes were formerly for servants. On the second floor, where the The faithful bodyguard lives and works at the residence of Mr. Hoang Yen Tchao’s three wives.
All corridors in the house have roofs designed in the French architectural style mixed with the stilt house architecture of the Tay people.
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Between the houses is a large, elaborately tiled yard. Including the main path and the two sides are clearly delineated by the way the tiles are laid.</ p>
Materials for building the house include: molasses sand limestone exploited locally; cement and iron and steel were transported by plane and pack horse from Hanoi. and Lao Cai up.
In addition to the main house, there are 2 rows of outhouses behind the mansion, there are also 2 rows of houses where the kitchen and other auxiliary buildings are located.
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These two outhouses are designed like Tay people’s stilt houses with Asian-style tiled roofs on top.
The “Cat King” mansion is located on a high hill so you can see far away and see the stream and misty mountain peaks in Bac Ha.
The escape hatch is right behind the mansion.
Documentary photo of the mansion of the ancient “King of Cats”. This place used to be the most powerful place in Bac Ha. The house was once a fear for people. with local people when they were exploited by the Hoang family’s father and son.
Right at this mansion, there is still a place to worship father and son Hoang Yen Tchao and Hoang A Tuong. In the past, Hoang A Tuong collected 500kg of pressed opium from the people every year. The man who sold 500kg cheap was the leader of a drug and goods trafficking network across Asia through Bac Ha. Later, his entire family had to live in exile in a foreign country.
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Since the mansion of the “Cat King” was managed by the State, the mansion has been renovated and restored as a tourist attraction for tourists to explore. where the “Cat King” once lived and ruled over the people of the Northwest region.
Many photographers also went to the mansion of the “Cat King” as a place to create works of art. In the photo is a photo taken by the photographer capturing the moment memories of a Hmong couple in a nearly 100-year-old mansion.
Hoang A Tuong Mansion has been recognized as a historical-cultural relic. Currently, it is an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. favored by foreigners.
Thai Ba
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