Ma Bufang Residence in Xining
Ma Bufang Residence in Xining Facts
Ma Bufang Mansion is the most preserved Republic of China building in Qinghai Province. It is also the only official residence built in China with jade. The old name is “Xinyi” or “Jade Pavilion”, which has high historical value and richness. Local national cultural characteristics.
Chinese Name: 马步芳公馆
Type: Cultural Tour, History Tour, Former Residence of Celebrities
Address: Chengdong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province
Best Seasons: Summer
Recommended Visiting Hours: about 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: 08:00~18:00
Ticket: CNY 30
Why is Ma Bufang Residence So Special?
Ma Bufang Mansion is the most preserved Republic of China building in Qinghai Province. It is also the only official residence built in China with jade. The old name is “Xinyi” or “Jade Pavilion”, which has high historical value and richness. Local national cultural characteristics.
Brief Introduction of Ma Bufang Residence
Ma Bufang Mansion was the mansion of the Chinese Muslim warlord and General Ma Bufang and his family from 1943–1949, and now is a tourist attraction, in Xining, Qinghai, China.
Ma Bufang was a Kuomintang party member, so the mansion has numerous portraits of the Kuomintang founder Sun Yatsen and Blue Sky with a White Sun flags. It also includes many portraits of Ma Clique warlords. Construction initiated on June 1942 and finished in June 1943. In total, the mansion comprises 290 houses occupying 6,000 square meters of a plot of 30,000 square metres located in East District of the city.
Ma Bufang
Ma Bufang (1903 – 31 July 1975) was a prominent Muslim Ma clique warlord in China during the Republic of China era, ruling the province of Qinghai. His rank was Lieutenant-general. General Ma started a state run and controlled industrialization project, directly creating educational, medical, agricultural, and sanitation projects, run or assisted by the state.
Ma Bufang and his older brother Ma Buqing (1901–1977) were born in Monigou Township (漠泥溝鄉) in what is today Linxia County, 35 kilometres (22 mi) west of Linxia City. Their father Ma Qi (馬麒) formed the Ninghai Army in Qinghai in 1915, and received civilian and military posts from the Beiyang Government in Beijing confirming his military and civilian authority there.
His older brother Ma Buqing received a classical Chinese education, while Ma Bufang received education in Islam. Ma Qi originally had Ma Bufang study to become an imam while his older brother Ma Buqing was educated in the military. Ma Bufang studied until he was nineteen and then pursued a military career like his brother. Ma Bufang controlled the Great Dongguan Mosque. Ma was a graduate of the Officers’ Training Corps of Qinghai.
Main Structure of Ma Bufang Residence
Ma Bufang Mansion is located in Weimin Lane, Chengdong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province. The residence was built in 1942. It consists of the former courtyard, the middle court, the south courtyard, the west courtyard, the west courtyard, and the west courtyard. It consists of 7 separate and connected courtyards, including the back garden. The courtyard is exquisitely designed, the building is simple and elegant, and there are 298 houses.
Best Seasons to Visit Xining
The best time to visit Xining and the surrounding areas is the period from May to September. Except the comfortable weather condition, many of the region’s colorful festivals occurs this time.
Summer in Xining is cool, with the daily average temperature lower than 17 centigrade. It is a good place to escape the unforgiving heat during summer time. The period from May to Sep. with the most weather condition is the best time to visit. High season prices do apply, however, and it’s more crowded.
Winter here is long and cold, but not freezing, with relatively little snow and rain. Spring is transient with sharp temperature swings. Autumn witness rapid temperature drops from its peak in July. Travelers and hikers are strongly advised to bring along thick overcoats in the mercurial winter months.
How to get to Ma Bufang Residence
Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)
If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to Ma Bufang Residence in Xining in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.
Independent Traveler
Take bus No. 3, No. 7, No. 17, No. 26, No. 27, No. 109 to the provincial hospital station, walk 200 meters south along Weimin Lane.
Useful Travel Tips
- .Avoid visiting during school holidays and Golden Week in October as there will be large numbers of local tourists.
- Shopping
There are beef jerky, cordyceps sinensis, deer antler, ginseng fruit, Xining rhubarb and so on, the handicraft is more full of beautiful things in eyes, including carpet, Tibet wool, blankets, butter sculpture, etc. -
With a relative high sea level, temperature differs greatly between daytime and at night. Visitors may consider bring along warm clothing even in summer time. Sun’s solar radiation in highland is strong and intense, so sunscreen, sunglasses, lip creams are needed to protect your eyes and skin.
