There is a line in the Dao De Jing that says, "Man follows the Earth, the Earth follows Heaven." This means that Daoism views the human body as a microcosm and Heaven and Earth as a macrocosm. Accordingly, the structure of the human body carries the information of the structure of Heaven and Earth, with meridians and acupoints; the Earth also has meridians and acupoints, known respectively as "dragon veins" and "earth energy points." And on these "dragon veins" and "earth energy points," there is said to be "divine energy." It is believed that visiting places with "dragon veins" and "earth energy points" and absorbing their auspicious aura is a good omen. So, what is the "divinely ordained" connection between the Dragon Fortress perched atop Longyan Mountain in Guizhou and these "dragon veins" and "earth energy points"? To understand this, we must start with the nature of these energy lines and points themselves.
Some say that China has 14 "dragon veins," including nine land dragons and five water dragons. The nine land dragons are: the Tianshan, Kunlun, Qilian, Yin, Qinling, Nanling, Greater Khingan, and Lesser Khingan mountain ranges; the five water dragons are: the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, Heilongjiang, and Pearl rivers. As for "earth energy points," they have certain topographical characteristics—generally centered around an energy point, they form a layout with mountains at the back and water in front, flanked by protective hills. In professional terms, the mountain at the back is called the "approaching dragon," also known as Xuanwu; the protective hill on the left is the Azure Dragon, and the one on the right is the White Tiger. The immediate area around the energy point is called the inner hall layout, while the broader surroundings form the outer hall layout. Within the outer hall layout, rivers meander by, and there is a small hill nearby in front of the energy point called the "table mountain," and farther away, a tall peak is known as the "facing mountain." Such a superior "earth energy point" is referred to as a "feng shui treasure land."
The ancients regarded Mount Kunlun as the "ancestor of China’s dragon veins." Therefore, emperors throughout China’s dynasties hoped to have their tombs located along feng shui dragon veins to bring themselves good fortune. Today, feng shui experts also believe that China’s "dragon veins" all originate from Mount Kunlun, and only those mountain ranges extending from Kunlun are considered orthodox "dragon veins." Moreover, the extensions of Mount Kunlun do indeed host three imperial-level grand tombs—the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, and the Qianling Mausoleum—all of which have remained intact for thousands of years. This may well be a manifestation of the blessings of the "dragon veins."
Of course, whether it's "dragon veins" or "earth energy points," they are classified into different levels based on certain characteristics, and people can receive corresponding blessings. The most fundamental criterion for judgment is morality. The higher a person’s moral standard, the greater their fortune, and the longer their family’s prosperity and legacy will endure.
In southwestern China’s Guizhou, there are also several "smaller dragon veins," namely the Wumeng, Dalou, and Wuling mountain ranges. Near the Dalou Mountain "dragon vein," there was a Tusi clan. Their ancestor, Yang Duan, came from Taiyuan to Bozhou in the southwestern region during the Tang Dynasty. He quelled the rebellion of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and after the incident was resolved, the court granted the Yang family hereditary rule over Bozhou, thus setting an example for the Yang clan and marking the beginning of the Tusi system. Later, the Yang family was divinely destined to rule for 600 years. During this period, the Yangs built the military fortress of Hailongtun in this land of abundant resources, maintaining their rule until the early Ming Dynasty. Thanks to generations of good deeds and blessings bestowed upon the region, the thirteenth-generation descendant of Yang Duan, Yang Can, also achieved remarkable merit—not only expanding territories but also educating the populace. Historical records describe him as "filial, friendly, frugal, and lenient in governance, bringing convenience to the people." Under his rule, Bozhou underwent a "great transformation in local customs" and became "almost indistinguishable from the refined culture of the Central Plains." Heaven, recognizing their family’s achievements, rewarded them by extending their rule for another hundred years. This continued until the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, when the family’s last ruler, Yang Yinglong, rebelled and was eventually suppressed by the Ming general Li Hualong, bringing the 700-year rule to an end.
During the Yang clan’s 700-plus years of rule over Bozhou, they actively embraced Central Plains civilization and introduced advanced culture, transforming Bozhou from a remote, uncivilized land inhabited by diverse ethnic groups into a rich and prosperous place where Central Plains and minority cultures intermingled. When the nation needed them, the Yangs often stepped forward to defend the unity of the multi-ethnic state, demonstrating their deep understanding of balance and their proper handling of the relationship between "family" and "nation." This is why their rule lasted over 20 generations and more than 700 years.
So, what is so special about the "dragon vein" where Hailongtun is located? According to accounts, Hailongtun is surrounded by clustered peaks and deep valleys. Longyan Mountain towers into the clouds, and within the valley flows the Baisha River, covering an area of about 5 square kilometers. The surrounding area features the Tongzhu Pass, Tiezhu Pass, Feilong Pass, Feifeng Pass, Chaotian Pass, Feihu Pass, Wan’an Pass, Xi Pass, Yunfeng Tower, as well as ruins such as a water prison, gold vault, silver vault, gunpowder pool, embroidery tower, drill ground, and quarry. It combines the majesty of mountain passes, the peril of ravines, and the beauty of streams and valleys, renowned for its grand momentum and treacherous fortifications.
It is evident that Hailongtun, situated upon a "dragon vein," indeed possesses an aura of fortune and blessing. Notably, Hailongtun was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2015. It has become the best-preserved military fortress in China and one of the most intact medieval military castles in the world, serving as an important cultural landmark in northern Guizhou. No wonder nowadays, more and more visitors flock here—those blessed with good fortune seek to prolong their luck, while those facing misfortune hope for a turn of luck. All come to this "feng shui treasure land" to gather and nurture various auspicious signs for their personal lives, families, careers, and studies.
Accumulate great virtue, and blessings will extend to future generations. The divine, following the laws of Heaven and Earth’s operation and obeying Heaven’s will, utilizes the energy points of the Earth to form a harmonious alignment of "Heaven, Earth, and Humanity," opening channels between the three realms to coordinate their functioning and achieve unity between Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. The blessings brought by the dragon veins across China attract countless tourists. Today, Hailongtun, the "small dragon vein" of Zunyi, is also an unmissable "feng shui treasure land." As locals say: walking through the Tusi city is like donning a "garment of wealth."