The Residences of the Ma Tusi

　　The Residences of the Ma Tusi were first built in the tenth year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty. The Ma tusi held hereditary power in Xincheng for over 470 years, relocating their government offices four times. Originally built in Gushang Village, then moved to Banxian Village, next to Guyao Village, and finally relocated to the foot of Cuiping Mountain. The total area administered by the Residences spans 389,000 square meters, with the building footprint covering more than 40,000 square meters. The entire complex consists of a central axis (government offices), an eastern axis (ancestral hall), a western axis (residence of the acting Tusi), as well as structures such as the Daifu Mansion, Canjun Mansion, Office of Rites, and Card Office. The main buildings include the screen wall, main gate, prison cells, barracks, main hall (also called the First Hall), corridor (also known as the Flower Corridor), East Flower Hall, West Flower Hall, Second Hall, east wing rooms, west wing rooms, Third Hall, and the backyard garden (also known as -).

　　Two rosewood pillars stand on the porch of the main gate of the Ma Tusi Residences, with a carved couplet hanging between them. The main gate, also known as the Ceremonial Gate, is usually kept closed, with access made through the side passages. It is only opened during festive occasions or when important dignitaries visit. Behind the Ceremonial Gate lies a courtyard, with a turtle-back patterned brick path leading straight to the main hall. To the east are the prison cells, divided into front and rear sections. The prison cells are separated by gender and severity of crime, furnished with instruments of punishment such as iron shackles and wooden stocks. To the west are the barracks, also divided into front and rear parts, housing soldiers responsible for protecting the government offices and guarding prisoners.

　　Passing through the courtyard path leads directly to the main hall. At the center of the hall is a judicial bench, upon which sit a wooden block for striking the bench, tablets, brush, inkstone, and other items. 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 large signs bearing the words “Avoid” and “Silence” standing prominently.

　　Passing through the screen from the main hall leads to a long corridor. To the east of the corridor is the East Flower Hall, and to the west is the West Flower Hall, both symmetrically designed. The East Flower Hall was specially constructed by the Tusi for banquets hosted for high-ranking officials and nobility, with refined and luxurious furnishings inside. The West Flower Hall served as the place where the Tusi conducted preliminary trials and punishments for prisoners. At the end of the corridor lies the Second Hall, also a three-bay structure, with screens separating the left and right sections. The left bay is where the Tusi handled daily affairs, furnished with the Four Treasures of the Study. The middle section is the council chamber, equipped with a judicial bench and armchairs. The right bay serves as the bedroom and study for the scribe. The front windows are all latticed floral windows, featuring vivid and lifelike designs of flowers and birds. The patterns on these windows were modeled after the designs of Xincheng’s Zhuang brocade.

　　Behind the Second Hall lies the Third Hall. Between the Second and Third Halls is a courtyard, with eight wing rooms on each the eastern and western sides, serving as dormitories for the Tusi’s sons. At the end of the wing rooms is the Third Hall, whose architectural structure is similar to that of the Second Hall, but with latticed floral windows featuring Zhuang brocade patterns, giving it a rich ethnic flavor and a magnificent appearance—it served as the bedroom for the Tusi and his wife. Passing through the Third Hall leads to the backyard garden. The backyard garden is built against the mountain, resembling a villa resort. It served as the living space for the Tusi’s daughters—small, delicate, elegant, and set in a tranquil and beautiful environment.

　　The entire Tusi residence complex is built with a brick-and-wood structure, using post-and-lintel framing, with flush gable roofs and upturned eaves. The buildings feature carved beams and painted rafters, with vermilion-painted pillars and beams. They exhibit both the style of classical central plains palace architecture and the architectural charm of southern ethnic minorities, reflecting the ethnic characteristics of the Zhuang region.

　　The Residences of the Ma Tusi represent the largest and best-preserved group of Tusi architecture existing in China. Dubbed the “Forbidden City of the Zhuang Region,” they hold significant historical, cultural, scientific research, and tourism development value, serving as a rare physical resource for studying the Tusi system. In 1996, the Residences of the Ma Tusi were included in the fourth batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites by the State Council as ancient Ming Dynasty architecture.