Abstract: As an integral part of the traditional Yi culture, the tuzhang house typifies the traditional Yi residence architecture as it represents the inherent wisdom of the Yi people in religious beliefs, aesthetic taste, spiritual pursuit, sense of ecology, life philosophy and other aspects. This form of local cultural heritage, however, is facing preservation problems and it is imperative that the following measures be taken to rejuvenate its value and make sure that it plays a positive part in construction of architecture culture of the Yi people: 1) making use of the tuzhang house custom resources to develop tourism; 2) taking the right approaches to modernize the tuzhang houses; 3) developing the tuzhang house as a creative industry; and 4) advocating a sense of preservation of the tuzhang houses among the local people.

Key words: the Yi people, tuzhang house, historical wisdom, contemporary develsopment