Zhibo Watchtower Cluster

Zhibo Watchtower Cluster

The Zhibo Watchtower Cluster is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Zhibo Watchtower Cluster is located in Zhibo Village, Songgang Township, consisting of two towers distributed along the mountain ridge from south to north. The southern watchtower is within the village, while the northern one sits atop the ridge north of the village, with the two approximately 50 meters apart. Both towers are octagonal in shape externally and circular inside, tapering inward from the base to the top to form a cone-like structure. The walls are built with stone blocks and mud, and wooden staircases are used for vertical access. The inner diameter of the southern watchtower is 8 meters, with each side of the external angles measuring 2.05 meters and wall thickness of 0.95 meters. The tower stands 29 meters tall with seven stories. On the western wall at the base of the first floor, there is a door measuring 1.80 meters in height and 0.90 meters in width. On the eastern wall of the fourth floor and the southern wall of the fifth floor, there are small doors each measuring 1.40 meters in height and 0.80 meters in width. The southeastern wall features 1–2 vertical rectangular observation holes on each floor. The northwestern wall has one observation hole per floor, measuring 0.30 meters in height and 0.10 meters in width. No observation holes are found on other floors. The northern watchtower has an inner diameter of 8.50 meters, with each side of the external angles measuring 2.15 meters and wall thickness of 0.90 meters. It stands 24.70 meters tall with six stories. On the southeastern, southern, and western walls of the 2nd to 4th floors, there are doors similar in size to the base door on the eastern wall of the southern watchtower and the 4th-floor door. On the eastern, western, and southern walls of the 3rd to 5th floors, there is one vertical square observation hole each. On the northeastern and northwestern walls of the 1st and 2nd floors, there is one square observation hole each with sides measuring 0.20 meters. The northern wall of the 1st and 3rd floors also each have one square observation hole.

This cluster embodies the exceptional architectural artistry of the Jiarong Tibetan people. The watchtowers are tall and majestic, with sharp edges, flat walls as if chiseled, exquisite craftsmanship, and remarkable sturdiness, representing masterpieces among octagonal watchtowers. Despite having withstood several major earthquakes, they still stand firmly on the land. After years of erosion and weathering, the ancient towers have become even more rustic and robust. Thanks to the care of the Party and government, strict protection policies have been implemented for these historic structures. They have been designated as county, prefectural, and provincial-level cultural relics protection units. In 2001, they were announced as National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. From a distance, the Zhibo Watchtowers resemble arrows ready to soar; up close, they stand like towering pillars. In ancient times, they held immense military value, being easy to defend but hard to attack. Each watchtower has only one entrance, typically over 2.5 meters above the ground, usually accessed by a ladder. During wartime, once people entered the tower and the ladder was retracted, the structure became as impenetrable as a fortress—truly a case of “one man guarding the pass, ten thousand unable to breach.” Inside the towers, wooden planks and branches form the floors, with each level equipped with arrow slits and observation windows. Legend has it that there are underground passages at the base of the towers to shelter the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. To guard against prolonged sieges, large quantities of grain were stored inside, and hidden channels supplied water. Meanwhile, able-bodied defenders would engage enemies from within the towers.

During Emperor Qianlong’s campaign against the Greater and Lesser Jinsha regions, he was furious at being unable to breach such watchtowers. Later, he summoned local craftsmen from the Four Territories to Beijing to construct replicas for the Eight Banners soldiers to practice offensive and defensive tactics. Eventually, with the help of the chieftains of the Four Territories, the rebellion in the Jinsha regions was quelled. Today, replica watchtowers can still be found in Beijing’s Fragrant Hills. Now, the smoke of war has long dissipated, yet the watchtowers remain standing. Centuries later, they still stand tall. Standing at their feet, one can sense the weight of history, the bloodshed of battlefields, and the indomitable magic of their resilience.

1. Zhibo Watchtower (Barkam County)

Protected Area: Extending 5 meters beyond the footprint of each watchtower.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 20 meters beyond the protected area.

2. Buwa Earthen Watchtower Cluster (Wenchuan County)

Protected Area: Extending 30 meters beyond the footprint of each watchtower.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 100 meters beyond the protected area.

3. Taoping Qiang Village Watchtower Cluster (Lixian County)

East: Extending 60 meters eastward from the watchtower cluster’s boundary to the road between East Old Village and New Village; South: Extending 120 meters southward to the Zagunao River; West: Extending 60 meters westward to Zengtou Gully; North: Extending 40 meters northward to the cliff.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 50 meters eastward and westward beyond the protected area.

4. Yingzuihe Village Watchtower (Mao County)

Protected Area: Extending 5 meters beyond the footprint of each watchtower.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 10 meters beyond the protected area.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units