The Government Office of the Suiyuan General (绥远将军衙署), located in what was formerly known as Guihua City (now part of Hohhot), was the official administrative office for the Suiyuan General, a high-ranking official responsible for governing the region of Southern Mongolia and overseeing military operations in key areas such as Datong and Xuanhua. Built in the Qing Dynasty, the office adhered to the architectural standards of a first-class regional military commander’s office, made primarily of brick and wood, and covering approximately 30,000 square meters.
The construction of the office began during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in 1735, when the Qing government selected a site about five kilometers northeast of Guihua City for a new fortification. This was part of the broader strategy to maintain stability in the northwestern frontier and exert political and military control over Mongolia. The office complex was completed in 1739, during Emperor Qianlong’s reign, and was named “Suiyuan City” by the Qing court.
The Suiyuan General’s office functioned as the central hub of authority in the region, responsible for managing the Eight Banners stationed in Suiyuan City, as well as overseeing Mongol princes and their subjects in the western alliances of Inner Mongolia. The general, known as the “Jianwei General,” held significant powers, including the ability to mobilize troops from Datong and Xuanhua in times of conflict, and to coordinate with local officials in matters of military and political affairs.
After extensive restorations, the office reopened to the public on July 31, 2017, as a historical site and museum. Covering 26,400 square meters in its current form, it now features the main government office complex, along with a memorial hall dedicated to the “Suiyuan Way” of governance. The office’s architectural style is primarily Qing Dynasty in design, recreating the grandeur of what was once referred to as the “First Office South of the Desert.”
During its 172 years of operation, 78 Suiyuan generals served here, playing a crucial role in managing military forces and maintaining order in the northwest until the office’s closure at the end of the Qing Dynasty.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.30 – 16.30; Closed on Mondays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0471-6901603 0086-0471-6905963 |
Location and Transportation
The Government Office of the Suiyuan General is located at 31 Xinhua Street, Xincheng District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 3, 4, 19, 27, 29, 59, 82, 88, or K1 and get off at Government Office of the Suiyuan General Stop (将军衙署站).
Metro: The closest metro station to the attraction is Government Office of the Suiyuan General (将军衙署站) on Line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit C2, you will see the building right across the street.
