The Residence of the Mizhi Tusi

The Residence of the Mizhi Tusi

The Residence of the Mizhi Tusi is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural relic protection unit of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Residence of the Mizhi Tusi is located at the northern foot of Cuiping Mountain on Xining Street in Chengguan Town, Xincheng County, Laibin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Residence of the Mizhi Tusi was first built in the tenth year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty. The Mizhi Tusi maintained hereditary rule in Xincheng for over 470 years and relocated the official residence four times—initially constructed in Gushang Village, then moved to Banxian Village, next to Guyao Village, and eventually to the foot of Cuiping Mountain. The total governed area covers 389,000 square meters, including over 40,000 square meters of building footprint. The entire residence is composed of a central axis (official residence), an eastern axis (ancestral hall), a western axis (residence of the acting Tusi), along with structures like the Dafu Mansion, Canjun Mansion, Li Fang, and Ka Fang. The main structures consist of a screen wall, main gate, prison cells, barracks, the main hall (First Hall), corridor (Hualang), East Flower Hall, West Flower Hall, Second Hall, east and west wing rooms, Third Hall, and the rear garden (-).

Two rosewood pillars stand on the porch of the main gate of the Mizhi Tusi Residence, adorned with a carved couplet. The main gate, also called the ceremonial gate, is usually kept closed, with access made through the side passageways. It is only opened during festive celebrations or when high-ranking officials visit. Behind the ceremonial gate lies a courtyard with a turtle-back brick path leading straight to the main hall. To the east are the prison cells, divided into front and back sections. The cells are segregated by gender and the severity of the offense, equipped with iron shackles, wooden shackles, and other instruments of punishment. To the west are the barracks, also divided into front and back sections, housing soldiers responsible for protecting the residence and guarding prisoners.

Passing through the courtyard path, the main hall comes into view. At the center of the hall stands a judicial bench, topped with a wooden block for striking awe into defendants, as well as official tablets, writing brushes, inkstones, and more. Behind the bench is a movable screen, upon which hangs a large plaque inscribed with “High Justice Shines Like a Mirror.” On either side are placed a large drum and a large gong, with various weapons neatly arranged, and prominent signs reading “Make Way” and “Silence” standing tall.

Beyond the screen lies a corridor, with the East Flower Hall to the east and the West Flower Hall to the west, symmetrically positioned. The East Flower Hall was built exclusively for banquets hosted by the Tusi for distinguished guests, featuring elegantly luxurious furnishings. The West Flower Hall served as the space where the Tusi conducted preliminary interrogations of prisoners and administered punishments. At the end of the corridor is the Second Hall, also a three-bay structure, with screens separating the left and right sides. The left bay was used by the Tusi for daily administrative tasks, furnished with the traditional Four Treasures of the Study. The center bay functions as a meeting hall, equipped with a judicial bench and armchairs. The right bay serves as the bedroom and study for the scribe. The front windows are adorned with intricately carved lattice designs featuring vivid and lifelike floral and bird patterns, modeled after the brocade patterns of Xincheng.

Behind the Second Hall lies the Third Hall. Between the Second and Third Halls is a courtyard, with eight wing rooms on each of the east and west sides, serving as dormitories for the Tusi’s sons. At the end of the wing rooms is the Third Hall, which shares a similar architectural structure with the Second Hall, but its lattice windows feature brocade patterns, exuding strong ethnic character and grandeur—it functioned as the bedroom for the Tusi and his wife. Passing through the Third Hall leads to the rear garden. Built against the mountain, the rear garden resembles a villa estate and served as the living quarters for the Tusi’s daughters. Compact and exquisite, with elegant design and a serene environment, it is uniquely charming.

The entire Tusi residence is constructed with brick and wood, using a post-and-lintel framework. It features flush gable roofs with upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, and vermilion-painted pillars and beams. It embodies both the classical palatial architectural style of the Central Plains and the distinctive architectural charm of southern ethnic minorities, reflecting the ethnic characteristics of the Zhuang region.

The Residence of the Mizhi Tusi is the largest and best-preserved Tusi architectural complex existing in China. Dubbed the “Forbidden City of the Zhuang Region,” it holds significant historical, cultural, scientific, and tourism value, serving as a rare physical resource for the study of the Tusi system. In 1996, as a Ming Dynasty structure, it was included in the fourth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council.

Chengguan Town: Located in the western part of Xincheng County, Chengguan Town borders Mupai and Maodong Villages of Ningjiang Township to the east, adjoins Shangning Village of Ningjiang Township to the west, neighbors Liuhua Village of Ningjiang Township to the south, and lies close to Huangjin Village of Ningjiang Township to the north. The town covers a total area of 58.5 square kilometers. It administers three administrative villages—Banhe, Duluo, and Panshui—and three communities—Cuiping, Chengzhong, and Anshan—comprising 36 natural settlements. By the end of 2003, the town had 3,730 households and a total population of 35,450, including 1,617 agricultural residents and 19,275 non-agricultural residents. The arable land area totaled 14,376 mu, including 3,495 mu of paddy fields. … Detailed information on Chengguan Town++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level