Yunnan Bian Tun Cultural Museum in Yongsheng County, Lijiang

Location: The Yunnan Bian Tun Cultural Museum is situated in the village of Maojiatuan, Fengyu Village Committee, Chenghai Town, Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. This area was where Mao Zedong’s 20th ancestor, Mao Taihua, lived for over thirty years.

Overview: The museum is part of the China Yongsheng Bian Tun Cultural Expo Park project, which covers an area of 3,500 acres with a total investment of 697.5 million yuan.

Establishment: The museum was officially established on December 26, 2011, and spans a total area of 64 acres (42,668.8 square meters). Its facilities include the Bian Tun Cultural Museum, the Ancestor Memorial Park of Mao Zedong, Guangming Square, and the Mao Family Ancestral Hall. The total building area is 4,700 square meters, with an exhibition area of 2,800 square meters and a green space of 6,699 square meters.

The China Yongsheng Yunnan Bian Tun Cultural Museum is located in Maojiatuan, Fengyu Village Committee, Chenghai Town, Yongsheng County. This site is where Mao Zedong’s 20th ancestor, Mao Taihua, lived for over thirty years. The museum is part of the China Yongsheng Bian Tun Cultural Expo Park project, which covers an area of 3,500 acres and has a total investment of 697.5 million yuan.

The museum was established on December 26, 2011, and spans a total area of 64 acres (42,668.8 square meters). Its facilities include the Bian Tun Cultural Museum, the Ancestor Memorial Park of Mao Zedong, Guangming Square, and the Mao Family Ancestral Hall. The total building area is 4,700 square meters, with an exhibition area of 2,800 square meters and a green space of 6,699 square meters.

The museum features seven exhibition halls, including: the Introduction Hall, Bian Tun Yunnan, Famous Historical Figures of Yunnan from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yongsheng, Art and Calligraphy in Bian Tun, Beisheng Prefecture and Lancang Guard, and Cangyang Spring and Autumn. The Ancestor Memorial Park includes four pavilions: Mao Taihua Pavilion, Yongsheng Mao Family Genealogy Pavilion, Shaoshan Mao Family Genealogy Pavilion, and Personal Stories of Mao Zedong Pavilion. The Mao Family Ancestral Hall features three exhibition rooms. Between the museum and the memorial park is Guangming Square, which features a life-sized bronze statue of Mao Zedong. The statue is backed by Phoenix Mountain and faces east, with the inscription “光明在前” (Bright Future Ahead) carved into its base.

The Yunnan Bian Tun Cultural Museum relies on the existing Mao Family Ancestral Hall to build the China Yongsheng Bian Tun Cultural Expo Park. The construction includes eight functional areas: the Bian Tun Cultural Spirit Park, Chinese Bian Tun Cultural Zone, Agricultural Development Zone, Ethnic Integration Zone, Agricultural Research and Development Zone, Specialty Business Street, Comprehensive Service Area, and Leisure and Wellness Area. The Yunnan Bian Tun Cultural Museum is a systematic showcase of Bian Tun culture, aiming to deeply explore its connotations with a focus on “rooted in Yunnan, facing the nation, and highlighting Yongsheng,” and to present excellent Bian Tun culture, which is predominantly based on Han culture.

Exhibition Halls

The museum features several exhibition halls, including:

  • Introduction Hall
  • Bian Tun Yunnan
  • Famous Historical Figures of Yunnan from the Ming and Qing Dynasties
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yongsheng
  • Art and Calligraphy in Bian Tun
  • Beisheng Prefecture and Lancang Guard
  • Cangyang Spring and Autumn

The Ancestor Memorial Park includes:

  • Mao Taihua Pavilion
  • Yongsheng Mao Family Genealogy Pavilion
  • Shaoshan Mao Family Genealogy Pavilion
  • Personal Stories of Mao Zedong Pavilion

The Mao Family Ancestral Hall features three exhibition rooms. Between the museum and the memorial park is Guangming Square, which features a life-sized bronze statue of Mao Zedong. The statue faces east and is backed by Phoenix Mountain, with the inscription “光明在前” (Bright Future Ahead) carved into its base.

Cultural Significance

The Yunnan Bian Tun Cultural Museum aims to systematically showcase border culture and is focused on exploring the cultural connotations of Bian Tun culture with an emphasis on Han culture. The museum is part of a larger plan to develop the China Yongsheng Bian Tun Cultural Expo Park, which will include eight functional zones:

  • Bian Tun Cultural Spirit Park
  • Chinese Bian Tun Cultural Zone
  • Agricultural Development Zone
  • Ethnic Integration Zone
  • Agricultural Research and Development Zone
  • Specialty Business Street
  • Comprehensive Service Area
  • Leisure and Wellness Area

Historical Background

The museum is located in a historically significant area for the Mao family, where Mao Taihua lived for over thirty years. It officially opened in 2011 and covers a substantial area with various facilities dedicated to both cultural and historical education.

Visiting Information

  • Address: No. 89, Maojiatuan, Fengyu Village Committee, Chenghai Town, Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province
  • Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, open year-round
  • Transportation: Visitors can take a bus from Lijiang City or Yongsheng County to Chenghai Town and then reach Fengyu Village Committee, Maojiatuan.

Honors

In February 2023, the museum was selected as one of the first education practice bases for solidifying the awareness of the Chinese national community in Yunnan Province.