Zunyi Hailongtun

Zunyi Hailongtun

Hailongtun in Zunyi is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Hailongtun is Guizhou’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site to date. Located on Longyan Mountain, 20 kilometers northwest of downtown Zunyi, it was inscribed as one of China’s three major Tusi heritage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. In the same year, it was honored as one of the “Top Ten Global Archaeological Discoveries” and praised by archaeologists as “China’s Machu Picchu.” It was built 200 years earlier than Machu Picchu.

The Tusi ruins of Hailongtun blend mysterious feng shui concepts with a sophisticated military defense system. They stand as a significant relic of the Yang family’s Tusi rule over ancient Bozhou for 725 years and are among the best-preserved medieval military castle sites in China and even Asia today.

The fortress features six front gates—Bronze Pillar Gate, Iron Pillar Gate, Flying Tiger Gate, Flying Dragon Gate, Flying Phoenix Gate, and Facing Heaven Gate—and three rear gates—Wan’an Gate, First Gate, and Second Gate—totaling nine gates that form an imposing military barrier. These gates are connected by protective walls stretching over ten li along the mountain ridges. Within the fortress, remnants such as the Old Royal Palace, New Royal Palace, Commandant’s Office, Treasury, Barracks, Drill Ground, Gunpowder Magazine, and Embroidery Tower still remain.

The Tusi ruins of Hailongtun showcase distinct northern Guizhou cultural characteristics. They bear witness to the unique governance wisdom of ancient China as a unified multi-ethnic nation over its diverse southwestern regions, and rank as one of Guizhou Province’s five major cultural icons.

In addition to the Tusi ruins, the Hailongtun scenic area also offers the restored Bozhou Tusi Town, which recreates the bustling commercial scenes of the Ming Dynasty for visitors to explore. By taking the eco-friendly “Hailongtun” mini train from the tourist distribution center to the Nianfangwan scenic entrance, the journey takes just 20 minutes.

Inside Tusi Town, there is a multimedia interactive experience center where visitors can engage intimately with Tusi culture through cutting-edge global technology, participate in the “Pingbo Campaign”—one of the Three Great Campaigns of the Wanli Emperor—and explore the legendary 725-year governance story of the Yang family Tusi.

Strolling along the streets of Tusi Town, visitors can find a variety of local Zunyi snacks to enjoy.

Address: On Longyan Mountain, within the Shuanglong Village Group of Hailongtun Village, Gaoping Town, Huichuan District, Zunyi City

Tel: 0851-28955565

Official Website: http://www.hailongtun.com/

Opening Hours:

8:30–18:00 (Last admission at 16:30)

Transportation

Self-driving routes: Chongqing – Hailongtun: Driving route: Chongqing Inner Ring Expressway – Lanhai Expressway (G75) – Exit at Zunyi Liziyaya Toll Station – Huichuan Avenue (toward Gaoping Town) – Hedong Road (G210) – Turn onto Y002 near Mingzhuang Village and drive 4.8 km. Guiyang – Hailongtun: Driving route: Guiyang-Zunyi Expressway – Lanhai Expressway (G75) – Exit at Zunyi Liziyaya Toll Station – Huichuan Avenue (toward Gaoping Town) – Hedong Road (G210) – Turn onto Y002 near Mingzhuang Village and drive 4.8 km.

Public transportation: Within Zunyi City: Take a bus from Maocaopu Bus Station to Gaoping Town, then transfer to a Gaoping Town–scenic area shuttle bus. Railway: Trains from Chongqing, Guiyang, and other directions arrive at Zunyi Railway Station more than ten times daily. Take bus routes 8, 303, 2, or 15 to Maocaopu Bus Station, then follow the Zunyi City public transport directions to reach the site.

Hailongtun Village: Hailongtun Village is located in the northwest of Gaoping Town, bordering Shawan Town to the north, Maoshi and Songlin Towns to the west, Hailong Town to the south, and Mingzhuang and Daqiao Villages to the east. It covers a total area of 34.4 square kilometers, comprising 32 village groups and 5,356 mu of arable land. The village has a total population of 2,896 people. The village Party branch includes three sub-branches: Baisha, Anmin, and Jiguang, with a total of 51 Party members (43 male and 8 female). The main economic activities of villagers include working outside, farming, and animal husbandry. The village is home to a national-level military ancient fortress, Pingya Tea Farm, and Longtun Mountain Villa. … Hailongtun Village detailed information++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Guizhou Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units