The Pearl of Oriental Architecture: Zhuokeji Tusi Official Manor and the Legend of the Chieftains

The "Oriental Architectural Gem"

1.Located in Xisuo: Village, Zhuokeji Town, about 7 kilometers from the center of Maerkang City (Barkam), Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, the Zhuokeji Tusi Official Manor stands as a majestic testament to the power and artistry of the Jiarong Tibetan chieftains. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,700 meters, this imposing structure sits on a high platform where the Suomo River and Xisuo River converge, offering a commanding view of the surrounding valleys. Built originally in the Yuan Dynasty (1286) and reconstructed between 1938 and 1940 by the last chieftain Suo Guanying, the manor is hailed by the American writer Harrison Salisbury as a "Pearl in the History of Oriental Architecture". It serves as a fascinating museum of the Tusi (native chieftain) system that once ruled these borderlands, preserving a lifestyle that blended supreme authority with religious devotion and military defense,.

A Masterpiece of Han and Tibetan Fusion

The architecture of the manor is a stunning example of structural engineering and aesthetic fusion. The entire complex occupies about 5,400 square meters with a building area of 1,400 square meters. It is designed as a closed courtyard fortress, consisting of four connected buildings—East, West, South, and North—arranged to form a secure quadrangle. The construction relies entirely on traditional wood and stone techniques using mortise and tenon joints, without a single iron nail. The thick outer walls are built from local stone slices, tapering upward to create a stable, fortress-like appearance, while the interior features intricate wooden corridors and windows that reflect Han Chinese influences. The North Building, standing five stories high (visually appearing as six), represents the seat of power, while the other wings served as guest quarters, storage, and administrative centers. A 20-meter-high, 6-story stone watchtower stands guard on the left side, symbolizing the supreme authority and defensive capability of the chieftain,,.

The Red Army and the Chieftain's Book

Zhuokeji holds a significant place in the history of the Red Army's Long March. In July 1935, Chairman Mao Zedong, along with leaders like Zhu De and Zhou Enlai, led the troops across the snowy Mengbi Mountain and stationed themselves at the manor for a week. The grandeur of the building reportedly astonished the leaders. During his stay in the "Shujin Lou" (part of the manor), Mao Zedong famously read a copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms found in the chieftain's library, leaving behind a legendary anecdote about the intersection of revolution and classic literature. The "Zhuokeji Meeting" held here was a pivotal moment for determining the army's northward path and ethnic policies. Today, visitors can explore the restored rooms where these historical figures stayed, viewing artifacts and exhibits that narrate this crucial chapter of the revolution,.

A Literary and Cultural Landmark

Beyond its political history, the manor is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the region through literature. It served as the primary prototype for the Alai's Mao Dun Literature Prize-winning novel, Dust Settled (Red Poppies), and was the main filming location for the TV adaptation. Walking through the dim corridors, the religious scripture halls, and the opulent living quarters of the chieftain, visitors can easily visualize the stories of power struggles, romance, and the decline of the Tusi era depicted in the novel. Across the river lies Xisuo Village, a stunning collection of traditional Jiarong stone residences that were once the homes of the chieftain's subjects. The village and the manor form a complete picture of the social hierarchy of the time, making Zhuokeji not just a building, but a living window into a bygone world,.