Majia Courtyard of Weishan

The Majia Courtyard in Weishan, the former residence of Ma Ruiji, is located in Weishan, Yunnan Province. Construction began in 1934 and was completed in 1941. The former residence of Ma Ruiji is a prime example within the Majia Courtyard ancient architectural complex, characterized by “one watchtower, two courtyards, three gates, four pavilions, five halls, and six courtyards.”

It adopts a “Six Harmonies with Spring” layout, where the east and west wing rooms, hall rooms, and the main decorative wall to the south form the “three houses with one screen wall” of the southern courtyard, while the main house, east and west wing rooms, main gate, and corner towers constitute the “four-sided with five courtyards” of the northern courtyard. Upon opening the thick, heavy gate, the first thing that catches your eye are four large characters carved in marble frames: “Upholding Purity in Islam.” Despite years of weathering, the painted ceiling panels on the second floor of the Ma Ruiji Courtyard remain vivid today, featuring artworks such as “Three Writing Brushes,” “Arabic School,” “The Majestic Pagoda of Chicken Foot Mountain,” and “Shanghai Street Scene.” In particular, the “Shanghai Street Scene” painting is regarded by experts as a rare and precious historical document.

Hidden within the Weishan Basin in southern Dali lies an ancient village rich in heritage — Donglianhua Village, also known as the “village carried on horseback.” Donglianhua Village is a nationally recognized Historical and Cultural Village and a traditional Hui cultural ecological reserve. It was included in the fourth batch of provincial-level cultural ecological reserves in 2017. With a long history and strong ethnic flavor, the village features numerous watchtowers and well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Established in the early Ming Dynasty, the village boasts a history of over 600 years and serves as a microcosm of the multicultural convergence along the ancient Tea Horse Road in western Yunnan. It is also a key stop on the golden tourism route to Shangri-La in northwestern Yunnan, as well as an emerging destination in Yunnan Province for experiencing traditional culture, caravan culture, and Hui culture. The former residence of Ma Ruiji, as a standout example within the Majia Courtyard architectural complex, is characterized by “one watchtower, two courtyards, three gates, four pavilions, five halls, and six courtyards.” It adopts a “Six Harmonies with Spring” layout, where the east and west wing rooms, hall rooms, and the main decorative wall to the south form the “three houses with one screen wall” of the southern courtyard, while the main house, east and west wing rooms, main gate, and corner towers constitute the “four-sided with five courtyards” of the northern courtyard. Every corner of the courtyards, despite the passage of time, still retains traces of its former craftsmanship—such as the exquisitely designed lattice windows and painted ceilings. These elements continue to evoke the grandeur and unique charm of the past, allowing visitors to feel as though they can touch the mottled history and rich cultural heritage at every turn. By slowly climbing the stairs and wandering through the corridors, you can gradually soak in the ambiance of the place. The best vantage point to view Donglianhua Village is from the highest watchtower in the courtyard. Push open the lattice window, and the entire village unfolds before your eyes, with all the scenery captured within that small frame.