Tianlong Tun Pu Village

Tianlong Tun Pu (天龙屯堡古镇) is a typical village which best records the “Tunpu culture”. This small village is located in Pingba County of Anshun City, about 72km from Guiyang and not so far from the Huangguoshu Waterfalls.

“Tun Pu” in Chinese refers to the places where the troops were stationed to guard the frontiers after putting down the riots during their southern expedition to Guizhou in the Hongwu reign (1368-1398) of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and the descendants of these armymen were called the Tunpu people. Over the past 600 years or so, these people have stuck to the Han civilization in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley of the Ming dynasty, and maintained the old traditions in the language, costume, architecture, religious belief, lifestyle and customs. With the passage of time, the “Tunpu culture” was formed.

Tianlong Tun Pu Village

In the Tianlong Tun Pu, the villagers still lead a life almost the same as their ancestors 600 years ago. They wear traditional costumes, usually long robes of blue with loose sleeves, and cuffs embroidered with laces for the womenfolk, and have special hairstyles. Secluded from the outside world, they have strictly maintained their customs and proudly preserved the traditions of the Ming dynasty.

Tianlong Tun Pu Villagers

Entering the lanes of the Tianlong Tun Pu Village, you will see barracks. The mountains around the tunpu are almost an archive of historical buildings. Ancient ramparts and the castle-style Wulong Temple are all national cultural relics. A Ming-era factory where soldiers produced weapons is in the rear of the mountain. Marshal Art Performance Hall, Post and Tea Station, Tunpu Folklore Hall and workshops, Beacon towers, battlements and sentry posts dot the landscape.

The ancient opera in the village.

Dixi is an ancient opera in the village, which is known as the “living fossil in the Chinese theater”. There is an old theater where you can watch 30 minute show. All actors are local people. There are anywhere from 40-50 to more than 100 masks in an opera. The audiences stand on high spots nearby to get a better view of the performance. Battles are a popular theme in the opera.