Yunnan Jukui Pavilion

At the exact intersection of Tonghai’s four central streets stands Jukui Pavilion, locally known as “Sige Lou,” a three-story wooden pavilion that has long served as the geographical center, visual landmark, and cultural symbol of Tonghai Ancient City. Originally constructed during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the pavilion was built around the city’s central axis, where the four streets extend toward the east, south, west, and north. Named after the worship of Kui Xing, the traditional deity associated with literary achievement and academic success, it embodies Tonghai’s enduring tradition of respecting education, scholarship, and cultural achievement.

The pavilion’s survival reflects the wisdom of traditional Chinese timber construction. Standing approximately 17.5 meters high and covering about 165.38 square meters, the square wooden structure is supported by forty columns, including four central columns extending continuously from the foundation to the upper structure. Constructed with ironwood (tielimu) and traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, the pavilion relies entirely on precise wooden connections rather than modern fastening methods. Its flexible structural system enabled it to withstand the earthquakes of 1915 and 1970, while many surrounding buildings suffered severe damage, demonstrating the resilience and scientific principles of traditional timber architecture.

The history of Jukui Pavilion is also preserved through its inscriptions and cultural symbols. Throughout its existence, the pavilion has experienced several destructions and reconstructions, including the major fire of 1876 and its reconstruction in 1882 through the collective efforts of local officials, gentry, merchants, and residents. The preserved plaques, including “Siwei Tongniu” (The Central Hub of the Four Directions) and “Guanmian Nanzhou” (The Crown of Southern Yunnan), reflect its historical role as the cultural and spatial center of Tonghai. The pavilion also houses the poem plaque “Yusu Tonghai” (Rainy Night Stay in Tonghai) by Qing scholar Qian Feng, transforming the building into a repository of regional memory and literary heritage.

Inside, the atmosphere of aged timber connects past and present. The third floor preserves the shrine of Kui Xing, where generations of scholars once prayed for academic success and literary achievement. Today, the pavilion continues to serve as a cultural space within Tonghai Ancient City, with its lower floors adapted for public display and cultural activities. As a representative wooden structure of central Yunnan, Jukui Pavilion remains not only an architectural landmark but also a living symbol of Tonghai’s urban history, traditional craftsmanship, and cultural continuity.