China Summit 2017 Post-FAM 2

Tianlong Ancient Garrison village, 24-Zig

Tianlong Ancient Garrison Town

Among such stone castles, Tianlong Tunpu, 72 kilometers west of Guiyang, is the best-preserved one. Since the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), Tianlong had been an important military fortress, guarding a major gateway to the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan. So the first emperor of Ming dynasty stationed troops for both defense and land reclamation.Today, over 5000 people in 1,250 households, continue to live in Tianlong Tunpu. Being the descendents of the imperial Ming Dynsty garrison troops, Tunpu people have maintained their traditional customs and way of life from the Ming Dynasty, in a kind of "lost world" environment. The military elements in the design of Tianlong are readily apparent. At the time, stone was the toughest material readily available. With high walls and narrow lanes, the village is a labyrinth for any first-time visitor, offering residents a distinct advantage in any in-village fighting. Tunpu people build their houses not only for living but also for defense. The houses are made of solid stones, with black tile roof s and white walls - the typical southern housing style. Shooting holes are found at all sides of the buildings, and sentry towers are scattered in the villages.

24-Zig along the Burma Road in Qinglong

“The “24-zig” is in Guizhou Province, it has 24 sharp bends on a high mountain. The Burma Road was largely built by Chinese during World War II to bring supplies to beleagured China, to help Chinese resist the Japanese invasion.

People can see a famous old photo on websites about World War II: convoys of US GMC military trucks snaking up a steep zigzag road in southwest China’s mountainous region.It illustrates the crucial lifeline that linked the Chinese battlefield with allied forces 57 years ago. The road, nicknamed “24-zig” because it has 24 sharp bends on a high mountain, was believed to lie on the famous Stilwell Road, also known as the Burma Road.Along the road, mountains of guns, bullets and food were carried by US trucks to China to fight against the Japanese troops.The “24-zig” was so geologically typical and a symbol of the times that its fame was soon spread worldwide by the international media.

However, after the war ended half a century ago, the precise location of the “24-zig” faded from memory. Many Chinese, Japanese and Westerners tried to pinpoint it along the Stilwell Road and the Burma Road in Yunnan Province, but it seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Yes, the 24-zig is in Guizhou!

Tianlong Ancient Garrison village, 24-Zig

Tianlong Ancient Garrison Town

Among such stone castles, Tianlong Tunpu, 72 kilometers west of Guiyang, is the best-preserved one. Since the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), Tianlong had been an important military fortress, guarding a major gateway to the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan. So the first emperor of Ming dynasty stationed troops for both defense and land reclamation.Today, over 5000 people in 1,250 households, continue to live in Tianlong Tunpu. Being the descendents of the imperial Ming Dynsty garrison troops, Tunpu people have maintained their traditional customs and way of life from the Ming Dynasty, in a kind of "lost world" environment. The military elements in the design of Tianlong are readily apparent. At the time, stone was the toughest material readily available. With high walls and narrow lanes, the village is a labyrinth for any first-time visitor, offering residents a distinct advantage in any in-village fighting. Tunpu people build their houses not only for living but also for defense. The houses are made of solid stones, with black tile roof s and white walls - the typical southern housing style. Shooting holes are found at all sides of the buildings, and sentry towers are scattered in the villages.

24-Zig along the Burma Road in Qinglong

“The “24-zig” is in Guizhou Province, it has 24 sharp bends on a high mountain. The Burma Road was largely built by Chinese during World War II to bring supplies to beleagured China, to help Chinese resist the Japanese invasion.

People can see a famous old photo on websites about World War II: convoys of US GMC military trucks snaking up a steep zigzag road in southwest China’s mountainous region.It illustrates the crucial lifeline that linked the Chinese battlefield with allied forces 57 years ago. The road, nicknamed “24-zig” because it has 24 sharp bends on a high mountain, was believed to lie on the famous Stilwell Road, also known as the Burma Road.Along the road, mountains of guns, bullets and food were carried by US trucks to China to fight against the Japanese troops.The “24-zig” was so geologically typical and a symbol of the times that its fame was soon spread worldwide by the international media.

However, after the war ended half a century ago, the precise location of the “24-zig” faded from memory. Many Chinese, Japanese and Westerners tried to pinpoint it along the Stilwell Road and the Burma Road in Yunnan Province, but it seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Yes, the 24-zig is in Guizhou!

Tianlong Ancient Garrison village, 24-Zig

Tianlong Ancient Garrison Town

Among such stone castles, Tianlong Tunpu, 72 kilometers west of Guiyang, is the best-preserved one. Since the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), Tianlong had been an important military fortress, guarding a major gateway to the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan. So the first emperor of Ming dynasty stationed troops for both defense and land reclamation.Today, over 5000 people in 1,250 households, continue to live in Tianlong Tunpu. Being the descendents of the imperial Ming Dynsty garrison troops, Tunpu people have maintained their traditional customs and way of life from the Ming Dynasty, in a kind of "lost world" environment. The military elements in the design of Tianlong are readily apparent. At the time, stone was the toughest material readily available. With high walls and narrow lanes, the village is a labyrinth for any first-time visitor, offering residents a distinct advantage in any in-village fighting. Tunpu people build their houses not only for living but also for defense. The houses are made of solid stones, with black tile roof s and white walls - the typical southern housing style. Shooting holes are found at all sides of the buildings, and sentry towers are scattered in the villages.

24-Zig along the Burma Road in Qinglong

“The “24-zig” is in Guizhou Province, it has 24 sharp bends on a high mountain. The Burma Road was largely built by Chinese during World War II to bring supplies to beleagured China, to help Chinese resist the Japanese invasion.

People can see a famous old photo on websites about World War II: convoys of US GMC military trucks snaking up a steep zigzag road in southwest China’s mountainous region.It illustrates the crucial lifeline that linked the Chinese battlefield with allied forces 57 years ago. The road, nicknamed “24-zig” because it has 24 sharp bends on a high mountain, was believed to lie on the famous Stilwell Road, also known as the Burma Road.Along the road, mountains of guns, bullets and food were carried by US trucks to China to fight against the Japanese troops.The “24-zig” was so geologically typical and a symbol of the times that its fame was soon spread worldwide by the international media.

However, after the war ended half a century ago, the precise location of the “24-zig” faded from memory. Many Chinese, Japanese and Westerners tried to pinpoint it along the Stilwell Road and the Burma Road in Yunnan Province, but it seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Yes, the 24-zig is in Guizhou!

Maling George

Located about 10 kilometers from Xingyi, the Maling River Gorge is a long and deep rift in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau cut by the surging Maling River. A series of both permanent and seasonal waterfalls (said to number around 100 in total) plunge or cascade down the steep cliffs on both sides of the gorge along its entire length.

Maling George

Located about 10 kilometers from Xingyi, the Maling River Gorge is a long and deep rift in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau cut by the surging Maling River. A series of both permanent and seasonal waterfalls (said to number around 100 in total) plunge or cascade down the steep cliffs on both sides of the gorge along its entire length.

Ten-Thousand Peak Forest

Photo from Guizhou Tourism Development Committe

Ten-Thousand Peak Forest is located at the middle and lower reaches of a "beautiful scar on earth ——the Maling George. The forest spreads out like a fan from the edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. The peaks are categorized according to the shape: array, sword, dragon, and piled up hats. In the main, the mountains here are not high, but the "bamboo-shoot" serried peaks present an irresistible spectacle. The green-grey peaks and yellow and green fields each enhance the other's radiance and beauty. As early as 300 million years ago, the area was part of an ancient sea. After several orogenic movements, bulging limestone rocks underwent the combined effect of burning sunshine, rain, dioxide and organic acids. It gradually formed marvelous sights, such as Karst caves, peak forest, natural craters and rift valleys. From whatever aspect you judge it: aesthetic value, completeness of the karst topography evolution. Process, diversity, scale and concentration of cone-shaped peak forest, or the classic nature of each spectacle; The Peak Forest deserves its reputation as ont of China’s wonders.

In the Ming Dynasty some 600 years ago, great Chinese traveler Xu Xiake was here. He was impressed by the landscape and wrote his famous poem which says:’ There are numerous peaks on earth and the peaks here are the most beautiful.

The private owned museum was founded in 2007 by Mr. Zeng Xianyang, who is the famous photographer, collector and researcher of Miao in China. It has more than 6,000 pieces of Miao’s costumes, silver ornaments, brass drums dating from Ming Dynasty till now. It is the BEST museum in China related to the Miao’s culture. Visitors will learn the hidden culture and custom of Miao ethnic group from its woven and embroidered patterns on costumes by its stunning and breathtaking collection.

The private owned museum was founded in 2007 by Mr. Zeng Xianyang, who is the famous photographer, collector and researcher of Miao in China. It has more than 6,000 pieces of Miao’s costumes, silver ornaments, brass drums dating from Ming Dynasty till now. It is the BEST museum in China related to the Miao’s culture. Visitors will learn the hidden culture and custom of Miao ethnic group from its woven and embroidered patterns on costumes by its stunning and breathtaking collection.