Stepping into the Gengma Tusi Mansion, one discovers a forgotten Tusi kingdom

The Gengma Tusi Mansion, also known as the Gengma Tusi Yamen, is located in Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. It is a palace-style architectural complex covering over 20 acres, with a symmetrical arrangement from east to west, including a screen wall, gate pavilion, and quadrangle palaces. The architecture features either carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and upturned arches, or painted landscapes, all shimmering with radiant colors! Facing the main street of Gengma, the Tusi Mansion features a three-section screen wall with flying eaves. Entering through the left or right gate leads to steps paved with decorative tiles and a horse pavilion, which leads directly to the second screen wall. The central gate within the second screen wall is the Zhengyang Gate, flanked by crouching lions, with side gates on the left and right for entry and exit according to certain rituals and ranks. In front of it is a passageway with flower platforms on both sides, and inside the building hangs a signboard of the hereditary Gengma Pacification Commissioner. Passing through the gate to the inner courtyard, one faces a grand hall with high stone foundations, red bricks, green tiles, flying eaves, and pillars embraced by carved dragons and colorful paintings, serving as the Tusi's council hall. On both sides and behind the hall are five courtyards with tiled houses, which were the residences of the Tusi's officials. The architecture features either carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and upturned arches, or painted landscapes, all shimmering with radiant colors. Hanging inside the hall are couplets such as 'With civil governance and military achievements shining brightly, the virtue and beneficence of the Tusi moisten the land of Jiu Meng; with lofty towers and magnificent pavilions standing tall, the outstanding structures of a thousand years illuminate the glory of the Six Tusi', reflecting the prosperity of the Gengma region and its once grandeur.