The Former Residence of Gan Xi is one of the best-preserved Qing-dynasty residential compounds in Nanjing. Built in the 19th century for an official family, it follows the traditional courtyard house plan — a series of halls and courts arranged on a north-south axis — with unusually elaborate carved wooden screens, doors, and ceilings.
The compound is off the main tourist circuit and visited mainly by architecture enthusiasts and school groups. The garden at the back is small but carefully designed. The whole residence gives an unusually intimate sense of how wealthy Qing officials lived, without the museum formality of larger heritage sites. The Fuzimiao area and Zhonghua Gate are a short walk away.