Majia Courtyard in Kunming

Chinese Name: 昆明马家大院
English Name: Majia Courtyard in Kunming
Year of Construction: 1923
Area: 1146 m²
Location: No. 36 Jingxing Street, Kunming City, Yunnan Province

Overview

The Ma Family Courtyard, the best-preserved example of classic Bai architecture in Kunming, received the 2001 Cultural Heritage Protection Award from UNESCO in the Asia-Pacific region.

Located in the picturesque Xiaoyinggui Alley of Kunming's old streets, this residence, also known as Jinlan Tea Garden, was originally the home of Ma Qian, a national hero and renowned general of the Yunnan Army from Eryuan. Built in 1923, the courtyard became the residence of Ma Qian’s family in 1924, following his appointment as Kunming's first mayor.

Architectural Overview

The Ma Family Courtyard, located at No. 36 Jingxing Street, was built in 1923. It covers a total area of 1,146 square meters and features a brick and wood structure with a layout that includes "four courtyards and five sky wells" and "horse-walk corner towers."

The courtyard comprises two stories of interconnected wooden buildings, surrounding a 200-square-meter bluestone courtyard with flowers, plants, and stone water tanks, and four small sky wells at the building’s corners. It showcases intricate wood and stone carvings, painted beams, and decorated columns, embodying the classic Bai residential architecture style known as "three halls and a screen wall."

The layout and structure, including the main entrance aligned with the central axis of the opposite main building, also reflect characteristics of the "Yikayin" residential style found in Kunming. Facing south and situated in a tranquil environment, the courtyard has been extensively studied by Professor Zhao Chen from Nanjing University’s Architecture Institute and Swiss experts. They view it not just as an ordinary old house but as a significant example of China's historical and cultural heritage.

Transportation

Metro

•  Take Line 5 of the metro and get off at Huashan West Road Station.

Bus

• Take bus routes 10, 82, or 84 and get off at the West Entrance of Nanping Street, then walk 300 meters to reach the destination.
• Alternatively, you can take bus routes 133, 77, K9 (special bus), 116, 10, 52 (short-turn), K13 (special bus), 82, 84, 189, 132, 56, 92, 124, 65, 54, 61, 69, 108, 118, 234, 68, 71, 125, 237, 2, and others to the bus stop near Ma Family Courtyard.

Related Attractions

Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park)

• Cuihu Park, located at the foot of Luofeng Mountain in Kunming and on the western slopes of Wuhua Mountain, directly opposite the main gate of Yunnan University, was originally named Caihaizi. This area, once a bay in Dianchi Lake, evolved into a clear lake as water levels decreased over time. The shimmering waters of Cuihu, surrounded by lush trees and reflecting a stunning natural environment, have earned it the nickname "the jade in the city" and made it a green jewel in Kunming.
• Before the Yuan Dynasty, when Dianchi's water levels were high, the area was a small lake bay outside the city, surrounded by rice fields, vegetable gardens, and lotus ponds, which is why it was called "Caihaizi." Due to the convergence of nine springs in the northeast forming a pool, it was also known as "Jiulong Pool." By the early Republican period, the area was transformed into a park, with willow trees and various lotus flowers planted, leading to its present name, "Cuihu."

Nie Er Former Residence

• The Nie Er Former Residence, located at No. 73 and 74 Yongdao Street, Wuhua District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, was originally built in 1884 during the 10th year of the Guangxu era as a two-eaved shop.
• In July 1986, the Panlong District People's Government designated it as the "Nie Er Former Residence" and listed it as a cultural heritage protection unit.
• By 2003, it was upgraded to a provincial-level cultural heritage protection unit, and in 2010, the residence underwent restoration. It became part of Wuhua District in 2004, and in 2011, the Kunming Nie Er Memorial Museum was established there.

Qianwang Street

• Qianwang Street stretches over 400 meters from Renmin Middle Road in the north to Jingxing Street in the south. It is renowned for its well-preserved cultural relics and historic buildings, including the Ma Family Courtyard and the Fu Family Mansion. The street is home to high-end dining establishments, clubs, coffee shops, bookstores, lounges, specialty shops, and attractions related to former celebrities' residences.
• As one of the earliest streets established in Kunming's old district, Qianwang Street is flanked by modern commercial buildings to the east, known as Zhengyi Square, and historical Republican-era buildings to the west. Along with Zhengyi West Street and Zhengyi Road, it forms a "three rivers flowing together" landscape.
• The street harmoniously blends modern architectural styles with elegant, antique elements, encompassing key aspects of Kunming's culture, commerce, local life, business patterns, and civic sentiments. This integration makes it a vibrant city window that showcases diverse architecture, culture, tourism, and commercial leisure.