Nandian Tusi Administrative Mansion

The Nandian Tusi Yamen is situated in Zhedao Town, Lianghe County, Yunnan Province. Completed in the first year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, it covers a land area of 10,652 square metres with a construction area of 7,360 square metres, constructed in the style of an ancient imperial palace.

The architectural complex includes four main halls, five courtyards, north and south wing rooms, ten auxiliary courtyards, twenty-four gardens, an opera tower and Rouge Tower. Altogether there are 47 buildings containing 149 rooms. It perfectly fits the description: "Courtyards extend layer upon layer leading to all directions; halls and pavilions nest one within another."

The buildings are neatly arranged with a clear hierarchy. Constructed entirely of wood with huge beams and pillars, they feature green-dragon roof ridges and elaborately carved beams and painted rafters. The fourth hall is especially exquisite in timber selection: the main hall is built with chestnut wood, the left wing with Chinese toon wood, and the right wing with catalpa wood, symbolizing "standing upright through spring and autumn for all time".

Such a grand mansion is rarely seen among all Tusi residences across China. It serves as crucial material evidence for the study of ethnic minority history, local history, the Tusi system and ancient architectural art in Yunnan. The mansion preserves numerous precious cultural relics, including half a set of imperial carriage ceremonial regalia, official robes and the great seal bestowed by the Qing court, palm-leaf Buddhist scriptures, old photographs and daily utensils. It has been designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

The Nandian Tusi Yamen is also known as the Nandian Tusi Administrative Mansion.

The ruling Dao clan (also surnamed Gong) of the Nandian Tusi originally came from Shangyuan County, Yingtian Prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River. Members of the clan marched into Yunnan with the army in the early Ming Dynasty. Having rendered outstanding military service repeatedly, they were promoted and settled here. Gradually they assimilated with the local indigenous Dai culture, becoming a model of Han-Dai cultural integration.

The original Nandian Pacification Commissioner governed a vast territory with strong power. The hereditary Tusi position passed down through 28 generations over more than 500 years, wielding great influence among borderland chieftains in Yunnan.

The administrative seat was relocated several times before settling at the present site in 1851. Three generations of Tusi kept expanding the compound, and it finally took shape in its present scale in the 24th year of the Republic of China (1935).

Laid out following the style of a Han official yamen, the complex comprises 4 main courtyards, 10 auxiliary courtyards, 47 buildings and 149 rooms. It covers 10,625 square metres of land with a construction area of 7,780 square metres. The layout matches the verse: "Courtyards extend layer upon layer leading to all directions; halls and pavilions nest one within another."

The timber structure boasts massive beams and pillars, green-dragon roof decorations and richly carved painted beams. The fourth hall stands out for its premium wood: chestnut wood for the main hall, toon wood for the left wing and catalpa wood for the right wing, embodying the implied meaning of standing firm through all seasons.

This monumental compound is rare nationwide among Tusi mansions. It provides vital physical evidence for researching Yunnan’s ethnic history, local chronicles, the Tusi political system and traditional architecture. Relics kept here include half a set of imperial ceremonial equipage, official costumes and the imperial seal granted by the Qing Dynasty, palm-leaf scriptures, historical photos and daily living items.

The mansion settled at the current location in 1851. After continuous expansion by three generations of chieftains, it was fully completed in 1935. The whole complex consists of 4 main courtyards, 10 side courtyards and 149 rooms in 47 buildings. Although the total built-up area is not extremely large, visitors will find one courtyard nested inside another. Valuable heritage remains inside, such as half a set of imperial carriage regalia, Qing-dynasty official robes and the great seal, palm-leaf scriptures, historical pictures and ancient daily utensils