Hailongtun Tusi Fortress (海龙屯土司遗址), constructed in the fifth year of the Bao You era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1257 AD) and destroyed during the Ping Hua Campaign in the twenty-eighth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1600 AD), stands as a unique relic in Guizhou Province. It is the only large-scale military and palace complex in the region, representing a well-preserved medieval castle site in China and even Asia, earning it the nickname “China’s Machu Picchu” by archaeologists.
Surrounded by mountains and solitary peaks, Hailongtun resembles a slender-necked gourd, with its northern, eastern, and southern sides facing the main source of the Xiang River, the “Baisha River,” all of which are sheer cliffs. The fortress features multiple layers of walls, including the Moon City and Earth City, with three layers of walls encircling the reservoir, presenting a winding and majestic appearance akin to the Great Wall of China.
Hailongtun witnesses the evolution of China’s minority policies from the Tusi system to the “change soil into rivers” policy. It is renowned as the main battlefield of the famous “Ping Hua Campaign,” witnessing both the glory and downfall of the Yang family’s rule over Bizhou.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Hailongtun Tusi Fortress
- Vlog about Hailongtun Tusi Fortress
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | 65 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.00 (1st November – 31st March) 8.30 – 18.00; Last admission: 16.30 (1st April – 31st October) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0851-23270077 |
Location and Transportation
Hailongtun Tusi Fortress is located in Hailongtun Village, Gaoping Town, Huichuan District, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, atop the Longyanshan Mountain, approximately 28 kilometers northwest of Zunyi City.
To get there, visitors can reach Zunyi City by high-speed train or bus first. From there, they can take the Tourism Bus Route 2 from Zunyi People’s Congress (Zhuhai Road) or the direct shuttle bus from Maocaopu Bus Station near the gas station to Hailongtun Scenic Area.
Highlights of Hailongtun Tusi Fortress
Copper Pillar Pass
Copper Pillar Pass, situated on the southern slope of the eastern mountainside of Hailongtun, serves as the first line of defense for those entering from the southeast. Originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty, it is constructed with blue stones and lime mortar, featuring a single-channel semi-circular vaulted top. Despite its partial destruction, remnants stand at 6.68 meters tall, with a width of 10 meters and a depth of 5.75 meters, preserving one column top stone and one paved stone.
Iron Pillar Pass
Iron Pillar Pass, located on the northern slope of the eastern mountainside of Hailongtun and facing south, serves as the counterpart to the Copper Pillar Pass, forming a strategic position to control access from the northeast. Positioned above a valley and equipped with a drawbridge, it secures the northern gateway to the fortress. Similar to its counterpart, it was originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty. Constructed with blue stones and lime mortar, it employs a vertical interlocking vault method, featuring a single-channel semi-circular vaulted top designed for a drawbridge. Despite some collapse, remnants reach a height of 5.2 meters, with a width of 6.3 meters and a depth of 4.2 meters.
Dragon-Tiger Avenue
Dragon-Tiger Avenue, also known as Longhu Avenue, serves as a crucial military thoroughfare linking Feilong Pass and Feihu Pass. Carved out of cliffs, this 292-meter-long passage, with a width ranging from 1.5 to 4 meters, likely served as a hidding place for soldiers. The avenue, flanked by cliffs on one side and a ravine on the other, features a parapet wall on the outer edge and drainage ditches along the inner side. Its construction not only facilitated transportation but also provided materials for building walls and passes. Submerged underground after the Battle of Pingxi, it resurfaced in 1999, offering a glimpse into its historical significance.
New Palace
The New Palace, functioning as the political center during wartime, resembles the layout of government offices, featuring halls, pavilions, ponds, warehouses, and barracks spread across an area exceeding 20,000 square meters. Its architecture centers around a multi-tiered stepped pathway, flanked by structures arranged in a symmetrical layout. The grand stone foundations of the preserved buildings, with the largest platform spanning 50 meters, showcase sturdy construction. The main building interiors are paved with plain blue bricks, while the courtyards feature stone slabs. Enclosed by a stone wall measuring 504 meters in length, the New Palace encompasses an area of 18,000 square meters, divided into three main sections: the central area for handling administrative affairs, and the western and eastern sections for additional functions.
On Saturday morning, there were hardly any tourists. From the ascent to the descent, I encountered only three or four other visitors, which felt like I had the entire Hailongtun to myself. Starting from Tongzhu Pass, I gradually climbed to the top along a steep mountain path, using both hands and feet to navigate the famous 36-step Heavenly Ladder. I reached Feilong Pass and Feifeng Pass before finally arriving at the site of the New Palace. There, I saw the… Read more »
There are three officially recommended routes to explore Hailongtun, each with precise timing. The standard tour takes about 2.5 hours, while the complete tour lasts around 4 hours. We opted for the complete tour, visiting all the checkpoints and taking all the possible routes. During the tour, we also took breaks for photos and meals. We boarded the sightseeing bus at 12:40 PM and returned around 4:40 PM after going up and down the mountain.
The tourist area is currently not fully developed, and you have to retrace your steps to come down from the mountain. Once the road at the first checkpoint is repaired, you will be able to descend from the other side of the mountain. Additionally, since it was a cloudy day, the overall scenery was rather average.
Under the blazing sun, I walked over eighteen thousand steps. I climbed the thirty-six steps of the heavenly ladder, feeling the profound and intricate military defense system of the Yang family Tusi from Bozhou. The artificial water channels and the openings are still as clear as ever, showcasing the grandeur of the engineering from that time. Once a battleground, the pass is now overgrown with wild grass and moss. The only visitors here are a few scattered tourists and goats… Read more »
The little train takes you to the foot of Hailongtun, starting a two-hour journey of climbing . It not only provides a good workout but also allows you to experience the rich historical and cultural atmosphere. The cool breeze in the mountains feels refreshing against the skin.
The entrance is a quaint town in a vintage style. It must have been bustling in the past, but now many stores are closed. It takes about 10 minutes to ride a sightseeing car through the town to reach the starting point for hiking. The hike, including taking photos, takes a little over 2 hours round trip. Passing through several checkpoints, you’ll find great spots for taking photos, with the ancient structures left without deliberate restoration. Finally, you arrive at… Read more »
I planned to take the tourist Line 2 to visit the Hai Long Tun Tu Si Fortress (海龙屯土司遗址) site, but after waiting for 30-40 minutes at Mao Cao Pu bus stop without the bus arriving, I ended up taking a taxi for 28 yuan. The entrance to Hai Long Tun is across the street from the bus stop, and after a short walk, you can see the Tu Si (土司) town. Upon arrival, I purchased a ticket at the tourist… Read more »
Hailongtun can be described as an epic of mountains, stones, and forests. The site has preserved numerous relics and nearly blends with the large mountains. During the summer, it is lush and green, guaranteeing a satisfying visit no matter what your purpose is. Due to its low popularity, you do not need to worry about commercialization and disturbance.
Due to factors such as the protection of cultural relics, Hailongtun does not have a cableway, so visitors must hike up. Hailongtun is divided into nine major passes, the most famous being Feihu Pass (飞虎关) and Feilong Pass (飞龙关). The 36-level sky ladder connecting Feihu Pass is 55 meters long with a 45-degree slope, especially challenging to climb. One side of Feilong Pass is a cliff.