Ma Bufang Mansion, Historical museum in Chengdong District, China.
Ma Bufang Mansion is a historical museum in central Xining featuring roughly 290 rooms arranged across multiple connected structures. The layout includes residential quarters, administrative spaces, and exhibition areas that together show how a wealthy and powerful family lived and operated.
This residence was built between 1942 and 1943 for Ma Bufang, a Chinese Muslim military leader who held significant power in the region. After 1949, the building's purpose changed when political control in the area shifted to new hands.
Inside, you can see portraits of Sun Yat-sen and flags of the Kuomintang party displayed throughout, reflecting the political beliefs of the Ma family. These images tell you what the household valued and supported during that era.
The mansion is open to visitors daily with guided tours that explain the building's architecture and historical significance. It sits conveniently in the city center, making it easy to reach on foot and to fit into a day of exploring Xining.
The building blends Chinese architectural elements with Western influences in ways that reflect the family's ties to international circles. This mix of styles is noticeable right away and sets it apart from typical regional structures built in the same period.
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