Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village (Nanlong Ancient Village)

Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village (Nanlong Ancient Village)

Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village

Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village, located on the shore of Wanfeng Lake in Bajie Town, Xingyi City, is about 39 kilometers from downtown Xingyi. Covering an area of approximately 2 square kilometers, the village is home to 218 households with a population of 813, all of whom are ethnic Buyi. It is an ancient village that combines beautiful natural scenery, rich ethnic culture, and mysterious Buyi architecture. According to historical records, the formation of this ancient village can be traced back to the “Relocation of Northern Troops to the South” during the early Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu era. One of the thirteen prefectures established by the Ming Dynasty in Guizhou—the Upper Five Prefectures (Guizhou Prefecture, Anshun Prefecture, Nanlong Prefecture, Dading Prefecture, and Zunyi Prefecture)—included Nanlong Prefecture, which was once located here. Later, due to insufficient water supply for official use and the needs of urban development, the prefecture was relocated to what is now Anlong County. The last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youlang, also once camped and trained troops here. To this day, the towering military parade platform and the vast drill grounds remain, evoking images of Emperor Zhu Youlang drilling his soldiers day and night, preparing to march north and reclaim lost territory.

Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village, located on the shore of Wanfeng Lake in Bajie Town, Xingyi City, is about 39 kilometers from downtown Xingyi. Covering an area of approximately 2 square kilometers, the village is home to 218 households with a population of 813, all of whom are ethnic Buyi. It is an ancient village that combines beautiful natural scenery, rich ethnic culture, and mysterious Buyi architecture. The houses in the village are arranged according to the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) layout, with interconnected lanes forming a maze-like structure. For centuries, the stilted houses in the village have been dismantled and rebuilt as needed, yet they have consistently retained their original architectural style. Was this the result of guidance from a master builder or a blessing from the divine?

The ancient village is surrounded by over 300 ancient banyan trees with twisted roots, rugged trunks, and diverse forms. From a distance, more than 200 Buyi-style stilted houses can be faintly seen. The last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youlang, camped and trained troops here, leaving behind a towering military parade platform and vast drill grounds, evoking images of him drilling his soldiers day and night, preparing to march north and reclaim lost territory.

During ethnic festivals, major events, or when distinguished guests arrive, villagers of all ages in Nanlong line up at the village gate, playing traditional instruments and sounding long horns to welcome the village elders presiding over ceremonies or to greet the honored guests.

The 600-year-old banyan tree has witnessed the vicissitudes and great changes of the ancient village. Today, the ancient tree is even more lush and leafy, likely having also bathed in the spring breeze of the comprehensive advancement of socialist new rural construction.

The mountains, waters, trees, stilted houses, and people of Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village come together to form a beautiful natural watercolor painting, showcasing its unique mystery and charm to the world.

Under a clear blue sky, the ancient village presents a serene and peaceful scene, reflecting the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

As the sun sets, beside the ancient trees and along the old paths, the sound of horse bells rings out urgently. The caravan—a distant term, a distant story—still repeats itself here time and time again.

Address: Nanlong Village, Nanpanjiang Town (formerly Bajie Town), Xingren City, Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Type: Ethnic Village / Ancient Town / Historic Village

Recommended Visit Duration: 2 hours

Phone: 18785912556, Ms. Song

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Free admission.