Yunnan Menglian Xuanfu Department, a free hidden gem

📍Menglian Xuanfu Department is located in Nayun Town, Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. The building complex was first built in the 4th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1406) and rebuilt in the 5th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1879), covering an area of about 12,484 square meters.

👍Menglian Xuanfu Department is called "Hehan" in Dai language, meaning golden palace.

🌈Menglian Xuanfu Department faces south, with buildings such as the gate hall, conference hall, left and right wing rooms, main hall, kitchen, granary, and prison on the central axis, surrounded by high walls and 4 side doors.

🌈Menglian Xuanfu Department is a large building complex that integrates the architectural features of the Dai and Han ethnic groups. It is also one of the 18 Tusi yamen in the ethnic areas of Yunnan border that is relatively well-preserved. From the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China to the pre-liberation period, a total of 28 generations of Dai Tusi exercised their ruling power in this yamen. The Tusi official uniforms, brocade belts, flags, documents, books, ceremonial guards, weapons, torture instruments, sacrificial vessels, and daily necessities preserved in the department are precious materials for studying the Tusi system in the ethnic minority areas of southwest China.

Post by Penelope Carmichael | Feb 2, 2025