Butterfly Tower (Hudielou) in Linxia

🏛️ Overview of Butterfly House (蝴蝶楼)

Butterfly House (蝴蝶楼) is located at No. 80 Qianheyuan Road, Linxia City, Gansu Province (甘肃省临夏市前河沿路80号). It is a National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Site and forms a group of protected historical buildings together with Dong Mansion (东公馆). As one of the representative Republican-era manor buildings in northwest China, Butterfly House reflects the architectural style and social history of modern Linxia.

The mansion was built between 1938 and 1943 as the residence of Ma Buqing (马步青) during the Republic of China period. The overall architectural layout resembles a butterfly spreading its wings: the central main building represents the butterfly’s body, while the two side corridors and pavilions form the wings, giving the building its distinctive name.

Butterfly House is considered a masterpiece of Hezhou (河州) modern brick-and-wood architecture, combining traditional Chinese courtyard design, local architectural techniques, and the lifestyle features of northwest China’s elite families during the Republican period.

The combined ticket for Butterfly House and Dong Mansion (东公馆) costs 30 RMB. Students can enjoy half-price tickets, while visitors over 70 years old and children under 1.2 meters can enter free of charge with valid documents.

During the peak season, opening hours are 08:30–17:30, with the last admission at 17:00. The site normally opens on Mondays, but temporary closures may occur during maintenance periods, so visitors are advised to confirm the latest opening information before traveling.

⚠️ Important: Butterfly House in Linxia, Gansu (a Republican-era mansion) is different from Butterfly House in Badaguan, Qingdao (a former film location). Check navigation carefully to avoid confusion.

🌿 Best Times to Visit Butterfly House

Seasonal Recommendations

April to October is the most suitable visiting period. During this time, flowers and trees in the courtyard are lush, and the natural lighting is ideal for photographing the traditional architecture, wooden structures, and courtyard scenery.

November to March of the following year is the quieter winter season. Visitor numbers are lower, but temperatures are colder, making it a more peaceful experience for travelers interested in architecture and history.

Best Visiting Time

The best photography time is usually 15:00–17:00 in the afternoon, when soft sunlight creates beautiful shadows and layers across the wooden buildings and courtyard.

A complete visit to Butterfly House takes around 1–1.5 hours. Visitors combining Dong Mansion and Butterfly House should reserve approximately 2.5–3 hours.

🚗 How to Get to Butterfly House

By Self-Driving

Navigate to Butterfly House (蝴蝶楼). The site is located in the central area of Linxia City, with paid urban parking spaces available around the surrounding streets.

By Public Transportation

Visitors can take buses No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, or No. 4 to stops near Qianheyuan Road (前河沿路), then walk for several minutes to reach the entrance.

Recommended Travel Combination

Butterfly House is located near several important cultural attractions in Linxia. Visitors can combine it with Dong Mansion (东公馆), Bafang Thirteen Alleys (八坊十三巷), Hongyuan Park (红园), and Wanshou Temple (万寿观) to create a one-day city cultural exploration route.

⭐ Core Attractions and Highlights

🦋 Butterfly House Main Building (蝴蝶楼主楼本体)

The main building is a two-story brick-and-wood structure built without iron nails, using traditional wooden mortise-and-tenon techniques.

The central seven-room main building represents the butterfly’s body, while the two curved side corridors connect to hexagonal pavilion-style auxiliary buildings, creating the appearance of a butterfly opening its wings. The entire complex is surrounded by corridors, forming a square courtyard layout. Cross-shaped brick pathways divide the courtyard into four garden areas, creating a highly recognizable architectural design.

Inside the building, visitors can see restored Republican-era rooms, including living spaces, reception halls, studies, and dressing rooms. Original details such as glass bricks and old furniture remains provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of wealthy families in northwest China during the Republican period.

🪵 Brick Carving and Wood Carving Art (砖雕木雕艺术)

Butterfly House is an outstanding example of Linxia brick carving art. Decorative elements can be found throughout the screen walls, corridor eaves, doors, and windows, featuring floral patterns, auspicious animals, and traditional motifs.

The delicate carvings combine Han Chinese and Hui ethnic architectural techniques, reflecting the multicultural character of Linxia’s traditional craftsmanship.

🏛️ Reception Hall (迎客厅, Front Hall)

Located independently in front of the main building, the reception hall features a unique architectural design.

Historically, it was used as a place for receiving guests and reflects the social interactions and political connections of the Republican-era military and administrative circles in Hezhou.

🌳 Courtyard Garden (庭院园林)

The courtyard features ancient cypress trees, flowering plants, blue brick paving, and a quiet traditional atmosphere.

The elegant garden layout and peaceful environment make it an excellent place for architectural photography and experiencing the atmosphere of an old northwest Chinese mansion.

📜 Historical Exhibition Hall (历史展厅)

The auxiliary exhibition hall introduces the background of the mansion’s construction, the social history of Republican-era Hezhou, and the development of modern architectural techniques in Linxia.

Through exhibitions and explanations, visitors can better understand the historical value behind the building.

🏨 Accommodation and Local Food

Visitors usually choose accommodation in Linxia downtown area, where hotels, restaurants, and transportation are convenient.

Local specialties include Hand-Pulled Lamb (手抓羊肉), Hezhou Steamed Buns (河州包子), Niangpi (酿皮子), and Gaiwan Tea (盖碗茶), a traditional tea culture experience popular in northwest China.

Since Butterfly House is located in the city center, many restaurants are available nearby. The scenic area provides QR-code audio guides, while private guide services can be consulted on-site.

⚠️ Travel Tips and Safety Information

Butterfly House is a National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Site. Visitors must not touch or carve wooden structures and brick carvings, and climbing on corridor roofs or architectural elements is strictly prohibited.

As a traditional brick-and-wood building, the courtyard contains many steps. Comfortable flat shoes are recommended. The indoor wooden floors should be protected from damage caused by hard objects.

The combined ticket includes Dong Mansion and Butterfly House, but the two attractions are located separately about 1 kilometer apart. Visitors need to enter each site separately by scanning or checking tickets.

During some periods, restoration work may require temporary closure of Butterfly House. If this happens, visitors can prioritize visiting Dong Mansion and should check official opening announcements before departure.

Drone flights are prohibited inside the courtyard area.