Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village

　　   Nanlong Buyi Ancient Village, located by Wanfeng Lake in Bajie Town, Xingyi City, is about 39 kilometers from downtown Xingyi and covers an area of around 2 square kilometers. The village is home to 218 households with 813 people, all of whom are of the Buyi ethnic group. It is an ancient village that combines beautiful natural scenery, rich ethnic culture, and mysterious Buyi architecture. Historical records suggest that the formation of this ancient village can be traced back to the "Northern Troops Dispatched to the South" campaign during the early Ming Dynasty's Hongwu era. One of the thirteen prefectures established by the Ming in Guizhou — the Upper Five Prefectures (Guizhou Prefecture, Anshun Prefecture, Nanlong Prefecture, Dading Prefecture, and Zunyi Prefecture) — included Nanlong Prefecture, which was originally located here. Later, due to insufficient water supply for official use and the needs of urban development, it was relocated to what is now Anlong County. The last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youlang, also once stationed and trained his troops here. To this day, the towering military drilling platform and vast training 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 by Wanfeng Lake in Bajie Town, Xingyi City, is about 39 kilometers from downtown Xingyi and covers an area of around 2 square kilometers. The village is inhabited by 218 households totaling 813 people, all belonging to the Buyi ethnic group. It is an ancient village that harmoniously blends stunning natural landscapes, vibrant ethnic customs, and mysterious Buyi-style architecture. The houses in the village are laid out in the pattern of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, with interconnected lanes and pathways forming an extraordinary and almost miraculous layout. To those unfamiliar with the area, entering the village feels like stepping into a maze. 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 entirely 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 seen emerging faintly through the foliage. The last Ming emperor, Zhu Youlang, once camped and trained his army here, leaving behind a grand military drilling platform and expansive training grounds that still evoke visions of him drilling troops day and night, preparing to march north and reclaim the lost empire.

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

　　   An ancient banyan tree over 600 years old has witnessed the vicissitudes and tremendous changes of the village. Today, the tree is even more lush and leafy, likely having also benefited from the winds of progress brought by the comprehensive advancement of building a new socialist countryside.

　　   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 stretching for miles, the ancient village presents a tranquil and peaceful scene, embodying the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

　　   As the sun sets in the west, beside the ancient trees and along the old paths, the urgent sound of horse bells rings out. The caravan — a distant term, a distant story — continues to repeat itself here time and time again.