Longli Ancient Town
» Guiyang, Gui Zhou

隆里古镇

Longli Ancient Town is located in the southern part of Jinping County, Guizhou Province, on the eastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The Longli Ancient Town is a well-preserved military castle which once housed a Qianhusuo (a regiment of 1,000 soldiers) dating to the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644).

The history of the ancient town

It has a history of 600 years old. The town's creation resulted from the central regime's expansion to far-flung lands and the Central Plain's cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities. First as an ancient military fortress, Longli Ancient Town was established in 1386 and renovated in 1404, its city wall built of earth. In 1457, cobblestones were used to further frame the town, thus its current aesthetic took shape. The existing city layout and its historic homes still retain their original appearance.

The unique folk houses

In Longli Ancient Town, still today homes line the streets in good order, all comprising three rooms, including two bedrooms. The blue-tile roofs are further decorated with turned-up eaves and ridges oft time in the form of animals. Floors are paved with stone slabs and walls are adorned with color murals. In front of the gates is a stone stair of three steps. The houses are surrounded by brick walls to separate the home from outside and shelter it from wind.

Entering a home's gate, you will first see a building of three rooms, behind which is a common courtyard. A blue-stone vat is put in the central area to store water as fire contingency. Behind the courtyard is the main house, impressive with exquisite structure, gorgeous decorations and window carvings in the shape of birds and other animals. The houses are purely wood in structure, with not a single nail imbedded in its design.

The older generation - soldiers

The current residents of Longli are mostly descendants of the soldiers that were stationed here during the Ming dynasty. Deploying from what is the present-day Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, the troops brought along their advanced technology. While garrisoning the frontier, the soldiers grew cotton and hemp, did spinning and weaving, and built water mills and rice-polishing devices run by water power; hence they promoted the social and economic development of the area.

The striking sub-culture

The culture that was handed down in Longli is mainly drawn from the Han ethnic group especially that which prevailed in the area south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In addition, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism all have roots deep in this land.

For hundreds of years, along with the cultural amalgamation with the Miao and Dong ethnic groups, a sub-culture differing from both the Central Plain and local ethnic minorities gradually formed. Folk arts, such as the painting of faces, ballad telling and traditional operas, each possess their own unique characteristics. During festivals, Longli practitioners of these customs entertain locals and visitors alike with colorful celebrations and delicious food.

Today of Longli Ancient Town

Lying in the central area of a mountain basin, Longli is on flat terrain, with the Longxi River winding its way northward in the west. Surrounded by mountains and covered with luxuriant trees, the area boasts a vital ecological environment and abundant forests.

In 1999 Longli was renovated and listed as a Sino-Norwegian cultural construction project. It has been cited as one of the four ecological museums and one of the 20-odd ethnic cultural townships for important protection and development in Guizhou Province. Today, 21 kilometers from the Liping Airport, Longli is an important passage linking Jinping to the Liping Dong Villages Scenic Area.

Attractions around » Guiyang, Gui Zhou

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

  Weather

  1. When is the best time to travel to Guiyang?
  2. Are there any travel tips about weather?

  Shopping

  1. What good souvenirs can I buy there?

  Travel

  1. Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

  Customs

  1. What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?
  2. Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?
  3. Some customs about the Miaos

  Other Hints

  1. Some warnings about hotels
  2. Electricity

  • Does Guiyang rain a lot?

    Guiyang has a pleasant moist subtropical climate with ample rainfall. It is neither hot in summer nor too chilly in winter. Guiyang is lucky as much as it does not suffer sandstorms and the pleasant climate makes it a cozy city in which to live.


  • Are there any travel tips about weather?

    Whether for escaping from summer heat or winter cold, Guiyang is definitely a good destination.

    However, due to the changeable weather on the Yungui Plateau where Guizhou is located, it is recommended that you take rain wear along with you and a folding umbrella is an asset! In addition, temperatures in the morning and the evening can often be rather low, so a windproof coat is necessary. The strong radiation from the sun means that you will also need our sun glasses and a sun hat - and don't forget your suntan lotion!


  • What good souvenirs can I buy there?

    Some special local products like traditional art works, or local food are decent gifts for you friends and relatives.


  • Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

    July and August is the best time to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall. During this period of time, there is a rich amount of water, making magnificent scenery. You can not appreciate such scenes during the lack-of-water period. An umbrella is suggested when you go to the waterfall, due to the giant size of the waterfall, you will be soaked wet without it.


  • What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?

    Liu Yue Liu literarily means a date, June 6. Actually it is a festival held on the sixth day of the sixth Chinese lunar month, hence the name. This festival is an important day for Buyi people to worship the cook's god and the mountain god.

    Si Yue Ba is held annually on the eighth day of the lunar month. On this day, large numbers of Miao people put on their beautiful costumes and congregate in the center area of Guiyang City to celebrate this great festival by playing the Lusheng and flute, singing antiphonal songs and dancing.

    Di Xi is a form of local drama. It is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month at Huaxi by Buyi People and other minority groups. The performers put on masks and costumes and engage in dancing and singing. Generally the performance tells a story of a battle or the loyalty between friends of ancient times


  • Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?

    Guizhou is a multi-region province. Apart from Han, there are about 17 other ethic groups that live here, such as Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yi, Shui, Hui, Zhuang, Yao, Man, Bai, Mongolia, Qiang and Tu.

    We suggest that you 'do as the romans do' when you go to visit Guizhou, because there are a lot of customs and taboos in the ethnic groups. Also respect their tradition to avoid conflict.


  • Some customs about the Miaos

    The Miaos usually keep open doors and are fond of drinking. Most of them can make home-made alcohol. Shaojiu is the most common alcohol. During a meal, the host might want his guest to drink some alcohol, if they refuse to drink, the host will not be happy. If you really can't drink, then please tell the host before the meal starts.


  • Some warnings about hotels

    Hotels in small towns such as Rongjiang and Congjiang are of significantly lower standard. Heating is sometimes not available and western style toilets usually unavailable.


  • Electricity

    The electricity used in China is 220 volt AC. Many middle and high-class hotel wash rooms have transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers, but it is better to be prepared with an adapter plug.


With a history of 600 years old, the Longli Ancient Town is a well-preserved military castle and enjoys a rich culture mainly drawn from the Han ethnic group.

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