Ming Dynasty Ruins of Yunshan Tun

　　　　In the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang sent 300,000 troops on a distant expedition to Yunnan and Guizhou to complete the unification of the empire. To stabilize the frontier, he left the soldiers there and implemented the Tuntian (military farming) and Weisuo (military garrison) systems. Today, many villages in Guizhou known as Tun (fortified settlement), Bao (fort), Shao (lookout post), or Suo (garrison post) are historical remnants from that period. In the 11th year of the Yongle reign (1413), Guizhou was officially established as a province, ending its previous division under neighboring provincial jurisdictions. This marked an epoch-making transformation in the history of Guizhou.

　　　　Where can one find this remarkable chapter in Guizhou’s history? Yunshan Tun, located in the eastern suburbs of Anshun City, offers a vivid display of the lifestyle of the Ming Dynasty Tuntun people. Perhaps due to its remote location and its position in the mountainside recesses of Yunshan Tun, it has been less impacted by modern civilization and change over time. As a result, much of its original appearance remains intact. Many historic sites — such as the fortress gate, fortress walls, watchtowers, blockhouses, stone counters, ancient residences, and old streets — have been relatively well-preserved. Moreover, the Tuntun people still retain a distinctive rolled retroflex pronunciation, as well as traditional Ming-style women’s attire, including long robes with wide sleeves, silk sashes, and embroidered pointed shoes. Everywhere in this area, you can catch glimpses of the profound influence of the largest ancient Han Chinese migration.

　　　　Such ancient fortresses, including the existing "Ming Dynasty Street," are situated right along the tourist route of the Anshun scenic area. The Tuntun cultural sphere centered around Yunshan Tun and extending to Pingba, Changshun, Zhenning, and Puding features unique cultural landscapes such as their local operas, lantern performances, folk songs, face-carving craftsmanship for Tuntun opera masks, finished mask artworks, distinctive clothing, and unconventional lifestyle customs.