ZUNYI, China, July 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- China's Tusi culture was
successfully added to the World Heritage List at the 39th
session of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany on July
4th.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150703/228075
The ruins of Hailongtun castle in Guizhou Province represents the three
heritage sites that applied for a listing as world cultural
heritage sites. These provide insight into the background of
Chinese Tusi culture and the Tusi families in Bozhou.
Zunyi, formerly Bozhou, consists of mainly Gelao
and Miao. An area known for cultural exchanges between the Han and
other minority group, also serving as an economic and cultural
exchange. Zunyi is the most representative area of the Tusi
system.
The Yang family built and owned of the Hailongtun castle.
The history of the Yang family governing Bozhou began with their
ancestor Yang Rui (Liao ethnic
group, predecessor of Gelao ethnic group) who occupied Bozhou
in 876, the 3rd year during Qianfu's reign in the Tang dynasty.
Yang Yinglong, the last Tusi of Bozhou and the 29th governor of the
Yang family, died during the Pingbo battle in 1600. The family
governed the area for more than 700 years, spanning Tang, Song,
Yuan and Ming dynasties.
The Tusi system made the autonomous rule by minorities a
reality, and in a certain historical period facilitated the
development of ethnic diversity, strengthened national unity,
ensure borderland security, and promoted the peaceful
coexistence of the central government and their local minority
regimes.
The Hailongtun fortress was built in 1257
A.D. It was a result of the cooperation between the central
government of the Song and the Yang family. Relics found at the
site include buildings with traditional craftwork and feature both
local ethnic characteristics and lotus patterns and ridge beasts
that were usually seen in central China during that time. The government offices
were built according to the official layout of the central
government offices, which showed not only the status symbol but
also ethnic fusion.
Being listed on the World Heritage List will promote
studies on the Tusi culture and the history of Bozhou. Guizhou province, with its first cultural
heritage site, will strengthen the preservation and excavation of
historical relics within the territory, and will apply for more
world cultural heritage listings.