Yanmen Tusi City

Yanmen Tusi City

Yanmen Tusi City is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yanmen Tusi City is located in Yuanshankai Township, formerly part of Gulong Town in the southeastern part of Huangping County, over 30 kilometers from the county seat. Nestled against mountains and beside water, the city boasts picturesque scenery. It connects the three counties of Taijiang, Shibing, and Huangping, situated at a key point along the Qingshui River shipping route. With its steep terrain and strategically vital location, it holds significant geographical importance. According to the Wanli-era "Qian Ji" (Records of Guizhou) map of Pingyue, Yanmen Si was already in existence, and the first chief of Yanmen Tusi was a member of the He clan, who was enfeoffed and came to Guizhou during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty for his meritorious service in "suppressing rebellions." Yanmen Si has a long history and was an important military stronghold. The famous "Battle of Yanmen Si" during the Qing Xianfeng and Tongzhi eras' Miao peasant uprising took place here, occupying an important place in the history of peasant wars. The architecture of Yanmen Tusi City is well-preserved, exquisitely crafted, and typical of the southwestern region, possessing high artistic and military defensive value. It serves as an important physical reference for the study of the Tusi system and as a significant historical testament to the indomitable resistance of Guizhou’s ethnic minorities against the corrupt ruling class during the Qing Dynasty.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units