Mu Palace

Mu Palace

Mu Palace is a witness to Lijiang’s history and a symbol of the ancient town’s culture. It is located in the southwest corner of Lijiang Ancient Town, covering an area of 46 acres with a central axis stretching 369 meters in length. The entire architectural complex faces east, “welcoming the morning sun and drawing the vitality of wood.” To its left lies the Azure Dragon (the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain), to its right the White Tiger (Tiger Hill), and behind it the Black Tortoise (Lion Hill). In the southeast direction, Turtle Hill and Snake Hill stand opposite each other guarding the pass. Mu Palace is embraced by the ancient town, drawing yang energy from Lion Hill while also benefiting from the Taiji flow of the Jade River.

The wooden memorial archway prominently displays the four characters “天雨流芳” (Tian Yu Liu Fang), which is a homophone in the Naxi language meaning “go read,” reflecting the Naxi people’s reverence for knowledge and emphasis on education. The stone memorial archway, described as having “beams, pillars, and brackets all made of stone, exquisitely crafted and unmatched in sturdiness,” is a masterpiece of China’s stone architecture. The Hall of Deliberation is dignified and spacious, radiating grandeur, serving as the council chamber for the chieftains. The Ten-Thousand-Volume Tower houses the essence of two thousand years of cultural heritage, including thousands of volumes of Dongba scriptures, hundreds of volumes of Buddhist scriptures, poetry collections of the Six Chieftains, and artworks by numerous scholars, all treasured as literary gems. The Rear Hall of Deliberation, also known as the Back Council Chamber, was where the chieftains discussed family affairs. The Guangdian Tower is the gatehouse of the back garden, historically praised for its architecture as “the finest in western Yunnan.” The Jade Sound Tower was the place to receive imperial decrees and host musical performances and banquets. The Three Pure Ones Hall reflects the Mu chieftains’ reverence for Taoist philosophy. Deep within the ancient cypresses of Lion Hill lie sacred spaces where the Mu chieftains conducted religious ceremonies to honor ancestors, the heavens, and the nature deity “Shu.”

Mu Palace is a splendid masterpiece of architectural art, fully embodying the elegance and character of Ming Dynasty central plains architecture while retaining the rustic simplicity of Tang and Song styles. Its orientation toward the east and the intricate layout of jade water channels flowing throughout the complex reflect the spiritual essence of traditional Naxi culture. During its construction, Han, Naxi, and Bai artisans worked together in unity, bringing their skills to create a structure that primarily retains the style of Ming central plains architecture while integrating various local craftsmanship elements of the Naxi and Bai peoples. At the same time, Mu Palace is also a garden that gathers ancient trees, rare flowers, and exotic plants of the ancient Naxi kingdom. It stands between imperial gardens and Suzhou-style courtyard gardens, merging the refined freshness of nature with the refined opulence of royal palaces, showcasing the Naxi people's open spirit of embracing diverse cultures.

Most of the structures of Mu Palace were destroyed during the wars of the late Qing Dynasty, and the surviving stone memorial archway was also ruined during the Cultural Revolution. In order to explore and promote ethnic culture, the local Party committee and government in Lijiang decided to invest heavily in the restoration and reconstruction of Mu Palace to revive its former glory.

After three years of painstaking effort, Mu Palace was restored to the world. The reconstructed Mu Palace is even more magnificent than originally planned. Majestic and awe-inspiring, Mu Palace draws the spiritual essence of the Snow City and the soul of the Jade River. Its revival has helped develop and promote the traditional culture of the Naxi people in Lijiang, making it a popular destination for visitors from near and far.

Address: No. 49, Guangyuan Lane, Guanyi Street, Dayan Town, Gucheng District, Lijiang City

Type: Historical Architecture

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visiting Time: About 2 hours

Phone: 0888-5122572; 0888-5181468

Opening Hours:

8:30-17:30

Transportation

Accessible on foot within the ancient town

Ticket

Ticket: 60 RMB per person. Free admission for seniors over 70, children under 1.2 meters, military personnel, and people with disabilities upon presenting valid identification (you may be asked to show the receipt for the Lijiang Ancient Town Maintenance Fee (80 RMB) when purchasing the ticket).

Dayan Subdistrict: The heart of Lijiang Ancient Town — Dayan Ancient Town, located in Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, boasts a history of over 800 years. It is currently home to 7,487 resident households and 24,711 residents, with the Naxi ethnic group accounting for 77% of the population. The ancient town features picturesque scenery and unique ethnic cultural charm. With its timeless appeal and vitality, it has captivated travelers from around the world and is hailed as a “living relic.”

Dayan Subdistrict is located in the center of Gucheng District, Lijiang City. It borders Jinshan Township to the east, Xianghe Subdistrict to the south and west, and Xi’an Subdistrict to the north. Its main jurisdiction includes Dayan Ancient Town…   More detailed information about Dayan Subdistrict ++