Exhibition themed on Mufu Mansion's history and culture opens at Prince Kung's Palace Museum

Enduring Legacy of Harmony and Beauty: An Exhibition on the History and Culture of the Mufu Mansion in Lijiang opened at the Ledao Hall of Prince Kung's Palace Museum on March 31. Jointly organized by the museum and the Lijiang Municipal People's Government, the exhibition offers a compelling exploration of the Mu chieftains and their legacy in Southwest China.

Located in the Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Yunnan province, the Mufu Mansion – residence of the Mu chieftains – once inspired the famed traveler Xu Xiake (1587-1641) to remark that its grandeur "rivaled that of imperial palaces." From the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Mu chieftains of the Naxi ethnic group governed Lijiang for 470 years.

As the first exhibition in China dedicated to the historical value and cultural significance of the Mufu Mansion, it brings together more than 70 artifacts and archival materials from 10 museums and libraries across Beijing and Yunnan. This marks the first large-scale, systematic presentation of artifacts and historical documents related to the Mu chieftains and their mansion.

Unfolding across four sections, the exhibition vividly narrates the Mu clan's role in safeguarding regional stability and advancing cultural interaction, exchange and integration. It also highlights the historical contributions of the Mufu Mansion – as an enduring cultural landmark – to the formation of a shared Chinese cultural identity.

At the opening ceremony, Chen Xiaowen, deputy director of the museum, noted the meaningful connection behind the exhibition. Prince Kung's Palace stands as a testament to the integration of diverse cultures within a unified civilization in the Qing Dynasty. Together with the Mufu Mansion – an emblem of cultural exchange between the Han and other ethnic groups of Southwest China – it reflects the pluralistic yet cohesive nature of Chinese civilization.

Lijiang Vice-Mayor Gao Ping, also standing committee member of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee, expressed hope that the exhibition would further promote cultural exchange and mutual learning, allowing heritage to thrive in new forms.

In addition to historical artifacts, the exhibition features photographs and materials related to Naxi history, folklore, and art, offering a vivid picture of the cultural heritage and intangible traditions shaped through centuries of interaction among ethnic groups.

The exhibition runs through June 30.