Grand Marshal Residence of the President in Dali City

The Presidential Marshal Mansion (总统兵马大元帅府) is located on the southern section of Fuxing Road (复兴路) in Dali Ancient City (大理城), covering an area of 21,510 square meters. Originally the Yunnan Provincial Commander’s Office (云南提督府), it was first built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

In the sixth year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign (1856), the anti-Qing uprising forces—composed mainly of the Hui people and other ethnic groups in western Yunnan—led by Du Wenxiu (杜文秀) captured Dali on September 17 and established their regime. On September 25, at the South Drill Ground (南校场), a ceremonial platform was built, and the uprising leaders elected Du Wenxiu as the Presidential Marshal (总统兵马大元帅). The Commander’s Office was renamed the Marshal Mansion and reconstructed with two main courtyards—the Front Hall and the Rear Hall—along with the Meridian Gate (午门), the Emperor’s Platform (天子台), and the Dan Chi Terrace (丹墀). Side halls and north–south flower halls were also added.

The complex included facilities such as the Council Hall (议事厅), the Grand Council Chamber (Military Secretariat, 军机处/白虎堂), living quarters, study room, guard room, and storerooms, forming a grand architectural ensemble. Du Wenxiu composed a couplet, which was hung in the main hall:

“Born a hero to turn the fate of the Central Plains;
A native land that produces great men to shatter the foreign dominion.”

High walls with battlements surrounded the mansion, built of bricks and stones, following the style of an imperial palace—hence its nickname, the “Forbidden City” (紫禁城).

Historical Changes

In the eleventh year of the Tongzhi reign (1872), after the uprising failed, most of the Marshal Mansion was dismantled. In the tenth year of the Guangxu reign (1884), it was rebuilt and reverted to being the Yunnan Provincial Commander’s Office.

During the Republic of China, it successively served as the headquarters of the Tengchong–Dali Military District (腾(冲)大(理)师管区), Chuxiong–Dali Military District (楚(雄)大(理)师管区), and Western Yunnan Military District (滇西师管区).

In 1987, based on historical records, several key structures of the Marshal Mansion were gradually restored, including the Council Hall, White Tiger Hall (白虎堂), Forbidden Gate (紫禁门), main gate, study room, and the south city wall of the Forbidden City. The entire architectural layout is orderly and well-proportioned.

Dali City Museum

In 1987, the Dali City Museum (大理市博物馆) was established within the mansion, with an exhibition area of 1,404 square meters. The museum now holds more than 2,800 cultural relics, mainly including locally unearthed stone tools, pottery, bronzeware, porcelain, jade articles, as well as various stone carvings, jade carvings, wood carvings, calligraphy, and paintings.

In 1990, some of the museum’s collections were exhibited in Switzerland and Japan, receiving high praise from the international cultural relics community.

Location

Southern section of Fuxing Road (复兴路), Dali Ancient City (大理古城).