Mu’s Residence

General Information of Mu’s Residence

Chinese Name: 木府 Pronunciation: Mùfǔ

Best Visiting Season: All seasons

Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30 all year round

Recommended Time for Visit: 3-4 Hours

Occupied Area: About 30,666 square meters

Building Time: The Yuan Dynasty (1206 - 1368)

Address: No. 49, Guanyi Street, Dayan Village, Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, China

Building Function: The mansion of Naxi chieftains——Mu Family during Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

Popular Activities: Enjoy the beautiful view and strong history atmosphere of Mu’s Residence while drinking tea in the pavilion

Admission Ticket Fare

Introduction of Mu’s Residence

The Main Entrance

Mu’s Residence is located at the foot of Shizishan Mountain in Lijiang Ancient City, and it is the showplace of local culture. The whole complex is a splendid garden of architectural art. Mu’s Residence fully reflects the style and temperament of the Central Plains architecture in the Ming Dynasty and retains the simple and wild charm of the Central Plains architecture in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). The east-facing layout, weaving and flowing rivers inside the garden also show the spirit of traditional Naxi culture. There is a saying for visitors: “You don’t want to miss Mu’s Residence if you come to Lijiang.”

History of Mu’s Residence

In order to strengthen the hold of Northwest Yunnan, Kublai Khan, the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, began to set up chieftains in Lijiang to rule the local people. Therefore, Mu’s Residence was actually Lijiang’s military and civilian general office at first.
 

After Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty (1358 - 1644), he invaded Kunming and Dali in the 15th year (1352) of the Hongwu period. Knowing that there was no chance to win the battle, A’jia-a’de, the Naxi chieftain in Lijiang, submitted to Zhu’s authority. Feeling A’jia-a’de’s sincerity, Zhu granted him the hereditary local magistrate, who had jurisdiction over four prefectures and one county, and a golden ribbon engraved with the word “Serve the Country with Loyalty”. Zhu also granted him the first name “Mu” and the given name “de”. From then on, “A’jia-a’de” became “Mu De”. After Mu De became the magistrate, he built the Naxi Mansion on the east side of Shizishan Mountain, which formed the present Mu’s Residence with the original buildings of the office.

Must-visit Attractions at Mu’s Residence

The Meeting Hall

Wanjuan Pavilion

The Meeting Hall is dignified and grand, in which the chieftains of the Mu family discussed political affairs.
 

Wanjuan Pavilion

Wanjuan Pavilion is the sign of knowledge of Mu’s Residence. It is said that there were thousands of volumes of Dongba scriptures, hundreds of volumes of Tripitaka (Buddhist scripture), chieftain’s poetry collection, many famous scholars’ calligraphy and paintings, and other cultural treasures in the pavilion.
 

Yuyin Pavilion

Hufa Hall

Hufa Hall is also known as the rear meeting hall. It is the place where the chieftains discuss family affairs.
 

Yuyin Pavilion

Yuyin Pavilion is the place where the chieftains sang, danced, and got entertainment.
 

Sanqing Hall

Sanqing Hall is the product of Mu chieftains’ belief in Taoist spirit, and it is also the embodiment of the close connection between Naxi nationality and Central Plains Civilization.

Story of Mu’s Residence

In 1996, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 hit Lijiang, which badly damaged most buildings in Mu’s residence. After the earthquake, the World Bank saw the great value of this ancient architecture. Therefore, the bank decided to fund the Lijiang government to repair buildings in Mu’s Residence. With the financial support of the World Bank, the skilled craftsmen in Lijiang worked together and repaired the Mu’s Residence. It took them three years to bring Mu’s Residence complete and new again.

Suggested Travel Route

Enter from the Gate → The Meeting Hall → Wanjuan Pavilion → Hufa Hall → Yuyin Pavilion → Sanqing Hall → Exit from the Gate

How to Get to Mu’s Residence

By Bus

Take Bus No. 4 or 18 at Lijiang Railway Station, and get off at Zhongyi Shichang Station, then go into Zhongyi Market and walk along the main street of the market.

Take Bus No. 16 or 105 at Lijiang Railway Station, and get off at Bailong Guangchang Station, then go into Zhongyi Market and walk along the main street of the market.

Take Intercity Bus at Lijiang Railway Station, and get off at Lijiang Gucheng Nanmen Paifang Station, then go into Lijiang Ancient City and go according to the direction sign.  
 

By Taxi

Chinese: 请带我去木府。English: Please take me to Mu’s Residence.

If you go to Mu’s Residence from Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, it takes about 40 minutes (about 90 yuan).

If you go to Mu’s Residence from Lijiang Railway Station, it takes about 20 minutes (about 30 yuan).

The Overall View

authorName23241: Hanyong Deng

Date: 04/06/2021

Email: info@chinatourstar.com

Do you like it? 0