Mu Mansion, Ancient mansion complex in Lijiang, China
Mu Mansion is a sprawling residence in Lijiang organized around courtyards, with halls for official duties, living spaces, and rooms designed to house collections of books and art. The layout guides visitors through different sections that served distinct purposes for the family and their administrative work.
The Mu family established this residence as their administrative base when they began governing Lijiang as Tusi officials during the Yuan Dynasty. The complex expanded over centuries as their authority grew, reaching its present form by the Ming and Qing periods.
The mansion reflects how the Naxi ethnic group organized their society and valued learning through the presence of extensive libraries. You can see how this local culture shaped the spaces where officials conducted affairs and families lived together.
Wear comfortable shoes as you will walk through multiple levels and uneven surfaces throughout the complex. It helps to get a map or guide at the entrance to navigate the many interconnected rooms and courtyards.
Inside you can find several carved stone tablets with imperial inscriptions that honored the Mu family's service to the throne. These rare recognition markers show why this family held such a prominent position in the region for so long.
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