Pengbuxi Ancient Watchtower

Pengbuxi Ancient Watchtower

The Pengbuxi Ancient Watchtower was originally built as part of a defensive system and was most prevalent during the era of cold weapons. After the mid-Qing Dynasty, due to the use of cannons and historical and social factors, watchtowers as defensive structures gradually declined. However, these ancient watchtowers have survived widely as historical relics to this day. The general shape of the ancient watchtowers is that of tall, square-like columns: they can have four, five, or up to eight angles, usually standing no less than 10 meters high, often around 30 meters, and some can reach as high as 50 to 60 meters.

The Pengbuxi Ancient Watchtower is located within the territory of Pengbuxi Township, Kangding County, and is known as the “Pyramid of the East.” According to historical records, it was first built in the 17th year of the Yuan Dynasty and has a history of several hundred years.

The Pengbuxi watchtowers coexist with the Tibetan villages — the villages thrive because of the watchtowers, and the two blend and interweave into an organic whole. The watchtowers have flat roofs, with each level cushioned by small round logs, then densely covered with firewood, over which branches are laid, followed by a layer of yellow mud, compacted layer by layer. Once compacted, the walls are about a foot thick and are built with a slight slope to channel rainwater through drainage grooves. This type of construction is sturdy and fire-resistant; some have stood for hundreds of years without collapsing. The building materials are generally local stones, flagstones, and yellow mud, resulting in watchtowers that are not only aesthetically pleasing in appearance but also solid in structure. Tip: According to local custom, visitors should walk around the ancient watchtower three times as a sign of respect, honoring the ancestors who once lived there.