The Shen Residence is the biggest local-style dwelling of its kind in town. Built in 1742 during the Qing Dynasty by Shen Benren,  a descendant of Shen Wanshen, a man of prodigious wealth in southern China in the late Yuan (1206-1368) and early Ming Dynasties, the complex consists of seven courtyards, five archways, and more than 100 rooms of different sizes. The residence covers an area of around 2,000 square meters (21,528 sq ft) and is a prime example of how the Chinese aristocracy used to live.  It can be divided into three sections—water gate and wharf, Tea Hall and Main Hall for receiving guests and holding wedding or funeral ceremonies and living quarters.