Yumuzhai

Yumuzhai

Yumuzhai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yumuzhai is located in the western part of Lichuan City at the border between Hubei and Chongqing, and is an administrative village under the jurisdiction of Mouluo Town. Covering an area of 6 square kilometers, the entire settlement is surrounded by sheer cliffs. Its ancient Tujia fortress, tombs, plank roads, and residences are well-preserved, earning it reputations such as "the No. 1 Tujia Ancient Village in the World" and "a paradise on earth."

In 2006, it was announced by the State Council as part of the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units; in 2013, it was included in the second list of "China's Traditional Villages."

Originally named Chengjiazhai, Yumuzhai was predominantly inhabited by the Cheng and Xiang families and has been a Tujia-inhabited area since ancient times. It was formerly under the governance of the Longyuan Pacification Commission, later becoming part of the Longyangdong Tusi territory and affiliated with the Shizhu Tusi. In the 14th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Longyangdong Tusi Tan Yanshang declared independence from the Shizhu Tusi. The Shizhu Tusi did not allow this, leading to ongoing conflict. The following year, the Shizhu Tusi Ma Douhu and Ma Qiancheng led troops to attack Tan Yanshang, cutting off his water supply and food provisions, surrounding the stronghold tightly in an attempt to starve them into surrender. However, after several months, they were unsuccessful. Inside the stronghold, Tan Yanshang ordered his men to throw live fish daily from a cave entrance on the eastern side of the stronghold down to taunt the attackers below—some fish even got caught in the trees in front of the Shizhu Tusi’s tent. Looking up at the steep and treacherous mountain stronghold, the Shizhu Tusi could only sigh at the fish and eventually withdrew his troops. Hence, the name "Yumuzhai" (Fish Wood Stronghold) came into being.

Yumuzhai can be called China’s largest “Blue Stone Museum.” The ground you walk on is paved with bluestone, the towering cliffs around are bluestone, the majestic main fortress tower is also built of bluestone, and even the flooring of the two-story tower is made of stone. Shooting holes are equipped with stone platforms built against the walls, and the daunting “Ladder of Light” on the cliffs is formed by intricately inlaid pieces of bluestone.

About 60% of the residents in the stronghold are Tujia and Miao people, whose wedding and funeral customs, cuisine, and architecture showcase unique and ancient folk traditions. Both men and women are good at singing and dancing and are known for their hospitality. Men enjoy drinking, while the women are skilled in embroidering quilt liners and making cloth sandals. Local specialties such as "Laozao Glutinous Rice Balls," "Yin Mizhi (steamed glutinous rice)," and "Tulapork" are quite famous.

Currently, more than 500 Tujia people live in Yumuzhai. There are also 10 well-preserved Qing Dynasty tomb steles, most of which are over 5 meters tall, with exquisitely carved stones and superb craftsmanship. The "Sanyang Pass" gate and the "Ladder of Light" plank road are carved into the cliffs and are extremely precipitous. Other relics such as the "Ancient City Wall" and "Liujitang" are simple and elegant. The "Chicken Head Gully Waterfall" encircling the stronghold is over 100 meters high and has a majestic presence.

A responsible official from the Lichuan Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau stated that the overall protection plan for the ancient stronghold has been completed, and systematic integration and restoration will be carried out based on traditional architectural spatial layout, group composition, structural forms, color materials, and window and door details. An official from Mouluo Town said they plan to leverage the development of the Lichuan Cool Capital and Sumadang scenic areas to create a "Mysterious Ancient Village Exploration" platform in Yumuzhai centered around the fortress walls and ancient residences, establishing the unique brand of the "Yumuzhai Ancient Village" and a "paradise-like" tourism environment, so that Yumuzhai becomes a historic-cultural village where nature, modernity, and history coexist harmoniously.

Address: Lichuan City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Type: Ancient Town/Village

Recommended Visit Duration: 5–6 hours

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 15.0 RMB

Mouluo Town: A township under the jurisdiction of Lichuan City. In 1950, it belonged to Luotian District, Wanzhou County, Sichuan Province; in 1955, it became part of Lichuan County, Hubei Province; in 1996, it was established as Mouluo Township. Located in the northwestern part of the city, it is 62 kilometers from the city center. The area covers 312.6 square kilometers with a population of 62,000. It governs 24 villages including Gengxin, Minsheng, Tiefeng, Nanpu, Fengzhu, Li Zi Yuan, Shang Ci, Zhongtai, Guihuaping, Wanli, Xiangshuidong, Hetaoyuan, Xinglong, Xinjin, Zhaibao Liang, Dongxi, Xiangyuan, Desheng, Tuanjie, Niujiaodong, Dongfeng, Baiyangping, Dazhuang, Guangming, Erhe Yaocai Chang, Chuantou, Longshui, Chaoyangsi… More detailed information about Mouluo Town++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units