Yunfeng

1.Introduction: The Living Fossil of the Ming Dynasty

2.Located in Yunfeng: Village, Daxiqiao Town, Xixiu District of Anshun City, Yunfeng Tunbao is a captivating cultural time capsule. Situated approximately 25 kilometers from downtown Anshun and 30 kilometers from the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall, this cluster of ancient villages covers an area of about 5 square kilometers. It is widely recognized as the most complete and representative "living fossil" of the Ming Dynasty military settlements in China.

Unlike the ethnic minority villages often associated with Guizhou, Yunfeng Tunbao is a Han Chinese settlement with a twist. It preserves the lifestyle, architecture, and dialect of the Jiangnan region (south of the Yangtze River) from 600 years ago. Stepping into these villages feels like a journey back in time to the 14th century. The area is a National 4A-level Tourist Attraction and a Key National Cultural Relic Protection Unit, favored by history enthusiasts and photographers for its authentic atmosphere and lack of over-commercialization compared to other sites.

A History of "Conquering the South"

3.The origins of Yunfeng: Tunbao date back to the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1398). To secure the southwestern borders, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang deployed an army of 300,000 soldiers, along with their families, from the Nanjing and Jiangnan regions to Guizhou. This massive migration was known as "Diaobei Zhengnan" (Transferring the North to Conquer the South).

These soldiers were stationed in military settlements known as "Tun," where they farmed the land during peace and practiced martial arts to prepare for war. Over the centuries, while the surrounding regions evolved, the people of Yunfeng Tunbao—isolated by their military mandate—stubbornly held onto their ancestral traditions. Today, they are known as the "Old Han people," and their culture is a unique blend of military rigor and the refined customs of ancient Nanjing.

4.The Kingdom of Stone: Architecture and Defense

5.The visual identity of Yunfeng: Tunbao is defined by stone. The villages were built as fortresses, designed to be habitable during peace and defensible during conflict. The core villages, particularly Yunshan Tun and Benzhai, are architectural marvels where wood and stone are masterfully combined.

• 6.Yunshan Tun: This is the core village, featuring a layout as complex as a maze. The streets are narrow and winding to confuse potential invaders.
• 7.Benzhai: Known as the best-preserved village, it boasts imposing towers and residential courtyards.
• 8.Defensive Features: Every house is a potential bunker. The walls are thick stone (up to 80cm), keeping the interiors warm in winter and cool in summer. Buildings feature watchtowers (Diaolou) with shooting holes, and the alleyways are designed to allow villagers to defend their homes street by street.

9.Cultural Heritage: The Last Ming Dynasty Han

10.The soul of Yunfeng: Tunbao lies in its people and their customs, which have remained largely unchanged for six centuries.

• 11.Fashion: The women, often referred to as "Tunbao Aunties," wear traditional attire that historians trace back to the Ming Dynasty. They dress in wide-sleeved robes (typically blue or cyan) and wrap their heads in green cloths, a style that has long vanished elsewhere in Han China.
• 12.Language: The villagers speak a dialect that preserves much of the vocabulary and pronunciation of the official Nanjing Mandarin from the Ming court, distinct from the surrounding Guizhou dialect.
• 13.Tunbao Opera (Dixie): This is the region's most famous cultural expression. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, "Dixie" (Ground Opera) involves performers wearing rough, expressive wooden masks and carrying weapons to reenact historical epics like The Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Bang) or The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Originally a military morale booster, it is now performed to exorcise evil spirits and pray for blessings.

The Experience

A visit to Yunfeng Tunbao offers a deep dive into history. Visitors can wander through the ancient stone alleys of Yunshan Tun, visit the Tunbao Museum to see historical artifacts and silver ornaments, or watch a live Ground Opera performance in the village square. The atmosphere is serene, with elderly women often seen embroidering or weaving by their doorways. For food lovers, the local cuisine reflects its military heritage—durable and filling—with specialties like Tunbao preserved meats and tofu balls.