Ubquitous Presence of Bats

Winding corridors, pleasant-looking kiosks and pavilions, and piled rocks sleep in the midst of luxurious flowers and trees in the garden's 20 or so scenic spots. What impresses the visitor most is the pattern of bats, which are found in every nook and cranny of the garden.

Yi Xin was a Manchu aristocrat, and the Manchus regard the bat as an auspicious symbol. The corridors, latticed windows and door panels in the mansion are thus engraved with numerous bats in different forms. Moreover, the pond in the mansion is also fashioned in bat-like shape. A reading-room constructed of bamboo, too, assumes the shape of a bat, and that is why it is called "Bat Hall".

It looks as if the entire Mansion of the Prince of Gong were swarmed with bats that descend to bring blessings to those who reside in it.