The Mandarin’s House is a traditional Chinese-style compound, covering an area of about 4,000 square meters. The entire complex consists of a gatehouse, courtyards, servants’ and master’s quarters. The gatehouse opens onto a courtyard that separates the master’s quarters from the servants’ quarters and the outer garden.

The individual entrances of houses in the compound are all orientated in the same direction, facing northwest. This differentiates the Mandarin’s House from typical Chinese dwellings with northeasterly facades. The compound sets along Barra Street.