Mansion of Canton Customs Description

Canton Customs was one of four major customs areas established during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1654-1722) and the only one that handled foreign trade during the late Qing Dynasty. After the Second Opium War, jurisdiction of Canton Customs fell into the hands of Great Britain. But it wasn’t until 1916 that the mansion was constructed by British colonists.

The words ‘Cvstom Hovse’ etched on its portico, the Canton Customs Mansion serves primarily as a museum today, though its bell still tolls every morning and evening at 8 o’clock.