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Explore the ancient city walls, wander through the old streets filled with traditional architecture, and visit the temples and historical sites within the city. Take a guided tour to learn about the city’s role in Chinese history, particularly its significance during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Longli Ancient City is located in the southwest of Jinping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, spanning longitude 109°2′52″ to 108°32′16″ east and latitude 26°23′4″ to 26°27′16″ north. An ancient military settlement with a history of over 600 years, the city covers an area of 48,174 square meters, housing over 760 households and a population of over 3,280.
Longli Ancient Town is one of the "Guizhou Ecological Museum Cluster," a collaborative international project between China and the Kingdom of Norway, and one of Guizhou Province's key cultural ancient villages and towns. It is a provincial-level scenic spot and a provincial-level historical and cultural town. In 2002, it was listed on the provincial intangible cultural heritage list; in 2007, it was designated as one of the third batch of "Famous Historical and Cultural Villages of China." In 2013, the ancient buildings within the scenic area were designated as the seventh batch of key cultural relics under national protection.
Best from June to October
Southeast Guizhou has beautiful scenery in summer and is a good place to escape the heat.
The climate in autumn is good, with clear skies and cool breezes.
Centipede Street
The ancient city's Centipede Street, also known as South Gate Street, is 93 meters long and 8.5 meters wide. Cobblestones are paved in the shape of a giant centipede, with its head pointing upward (towards the Guanyin Hall) and its feet pointing downward (towards the South Gate). The centipede's back is 2 meters wide, and its legs are 2.5 meters long, for a total of 56 legs.
Lailong Street
The main street at Longli's East Gate is called Lailong Street. It's 105 meters long and 6 meters wide, and is paved entirely with cobblestones. From a distance, it resembles a giant dragon winding its way from the Sanshi River southwest of Liping City. At Xinzhaitun and Yutianwan, it rises to steep peaks, then tumbles down into several sections, stretching out for over 40 miles on either side. It then reaches Matijing, where peaks rise again, cascading down like a pair of carp leaping over a dragon's gate. Stretching for about three miles to the southeast of the city, the hilly terrain suddenly rises, forming the Five Peaks, a series of peaks known as the Five Cong Mountains. From the fourth peak, a vein emerges, spreading out into a vast plain leading into the East Gate of Longli City. This vein carries a long and continuous flow of vital energy, protected by sand on both sides. To the east, there's the Upper Sand (Dragon Sand) and the Lower Sand (Tiger Sand) to the west. These layers of protection serve to block wind and gather energy, reflecting the profound principles of ancient Chinese city site selection.
Book House
Located on Nanmen Street, Shuxiangdi was built in the late Qing Dynasty. Its name, "Shuxiangdi," signifies a family of culture and reading, emphasizing knowledge and etiquette as the foundation of a family. It boasts three rooms, three entrances, and two courtyards, with double eaves and water outlets. The main hall features window panes with various patterns, and a pair of stone locks in front of the door, engraved with the words "Three consecutive top honors" and "Three consecutive promotions." The fire jar is engraved with ancient weapons such as halberds, symbolizing a family of martial artists. The main door panels are made of solid bluewood, making them exceptionally sturdy. Behind the door, a bluestone rabbet is carved into the ground, and corners are equipped with door rails for nighttime access. This is a typical Longli residence.
Sanhuai House
In the ancient city of Longli, there are four branches of the Wang surname: Longwang, Suowang, Xiwang, and Weiwang. They originated from Jiangxi, Anhui, and Shanxi, respectively, and are collectively known as the "Three Huai" Wangs. The Longwang clan is located at the East Gate; the Suowang clan resides at Shangxiao Street in the South Gate and Zhangsuo Street in the West Gate; the Xiwang clan resides at Renshou Street and Guihua Street; and the Weiwang clan primarily resides at Hemen Tower. Their ancestor, Wang You, held the position of Deputy Director of the Supervisory Commission. Because he planted three locust trees in his courtyard, he became known as the "Three Huai" Wangs. The "Four Wangs" descended from Longli in the early Ming Dynasty and have continued to thrive for 24 generations, spanning over 600 years. The Three Huai Wangs are the largest clan in Longli.
Kaikedi
The plaque above the gate reads "Kai Ke Di." This house, located at the end of Guihua Street in the ancient city, is the residence of the Xiwang family in Longli. Their ancestor, Minister Wang, went to Changsha to take the imperial examination in 1567, the first year of the Ming Dynasty's Longqing reign. He passed the imperial examination and ranked 13th in the Dingmao imperial examination, becoming the first person to pass the imperial examination in Liping Prefecture and the earliest prominent figure in Longli. His descendants named their hall "Kai Ke Di." The Xiwang family is a renowned scholarly clan in Longli, with poetry and literature passed down through generations. The architectural style of Kai Ke Di houses in the past often featured horse-head walls, eight-shaped doors, and raised corners. Due to their age, only five remain.
Imperial Examination
Kejiadi, located on Wugong Street in the ancient city, was first built in the Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in 1912, the second year of the Republic of China. Originally a residence for the Jiang family, it is now home to the Yang and Jiang families. The three-room, two-entry structure boasts a garden at the rear. Its carved façades feature raised corners, white walls, and black tiles, and the walls are painted with paintings of flowers, birds, insects, fish, and landscapes. Jiang Youben, an ancestor of the Jiang family, passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. He rose to the position of prefect. His descendants named their hall "Kejiadi," symbolizing the prosperity of the imperial examinations.
Tao Family Courtyard
Tao Family Courtyard is located in the northeast corner of the ancient city. It was the residence of Tao Mingzhe, a wood merchant in the late Qing Dynasty. It is a three-room, two-wing building surrounded by high wind and fire walls. The patio is paved with bluestone slabs. The window sashes are all exquisitely carved wooden lattice windows with delicate carvings of birds and beasts. The hollow and exquisite wooden carvings are even more peculiar. There are murals in the study, and the furniture is fully furnished with exquisite workmanship and elegant decoration. There is a gatehouse and fireproof stone vat in front of the house. It is the most representative and best-preserved ancient residential building in the ancient city.
Ancient stele table
The essence of this "stone culture" within the ancient city is the hundreds of stone steles, primarily commemorating bridge construction, temple construction, well digging, drum tower construction, ancestral hall construction, city construction, chastity and filial piety steles, and tombstone construction. The most famous steles in Longli are the four 6.3-meter-wide and 4.8-meter-high stone steles, known as the "Ten Thousand People Stele," located at the foot of Zhenwu Mountain, east of Zhuangyuan Bridge. These steles were erected during the Ming and Qing dynasties to commemorate the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling during the renovation of Zhuangyuan Bridge. The next most prominent are the "Chastity and Filial Piety Stele," a feudal honoring of women who remained faithful to their husbands (referring to not remarrying after their husbands' death). These steles were approved by the imperial court, and the inscriptions were then engraved on the steles, ensuring their long-lasting legacy. Other steles include the "Loyalty Archway," the "Centennial Archway," the "Zhuangyuan Book Archway," the "Chastity and Filial Piety Archway," the Jinshi Terrace, and the Huabiao (Huabi) stele.
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Longli Ancient City dates back over 500 years and was an important strategic location during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is known for its well-preserved architecture and ancient city walls, reflecting the traditional Chinese defense systems and cultural heritage of the region.
Longli Ancient City is located in the southeastern part of Guizhou Province. It is accessible by bus or taxi from Guiyang. The nearest city center is Guiyang, from where visitors can take a long-distance bus or a private taxi for the 1.5-hour drive to the site.
The city is open from 8 AM to 6 PM. The best time to visit is in spring or autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant, avoiding the summer heat and the crowds of Chinese public holidays.
The entrance fee is approximately 40-60 RMB. Tickets can be purchased on-site at the entrance. During peak seasons, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance either online or at designated ticket counters.
Booking tickets in advance is recommended during peak seasons (holidays or weekends). Tickets can usually be booked a few days in advance, but it is not mandatory for off-season visits.
Exploring the entire Longli Ancient City typically takes about 2-3 hours. This includes visiting the main attractions, walking through the ancient streets, and taking in the historical sites.
Must-see highlights include the ancient city walls, the traditional architecture in the old town area, the Longli Old Temple, and the historical gates that once served as the city’s main defense points.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin. English-speaking guides may be available upon request, though this is less common. Audio guides in Mandarin are also offered to help visitors navigate the city and understand its history.
The best viewpoints are from the top of the ancient city walls, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The main gates and temple areas also provide beautiful photo opportunities with traditional Chinese architecture in the background.
Start at the main entrance gate, explore the ancient streets, visit the old city walls, and finish at the Longli Old Temple. Take time to visit the historical displays and read about the city’s significance along the way.
Night visits and light shows are not commonly available at Longli Ancient City. However, the city has a unique atmosphere at dusk, where visitors can enjoy the quiet streets and lit-up historical buildings.
The city tends to be crowded on weekends and during public holidays. For a more peaceful experience, visit on weekdays, especially in the morning hours.
There are basic facilities like toilets and rest areas within the city. Food stalls and local restaurants are available, offering snacks and traditional Guizhou cuisine. Some souvenir shops also sell local crafts.
Longli Ancient City is somewhat accessible, but the terrain can be uneven and there are steps on the city walls. Elderly or disabled visitors may face some challenges navigating the area, especially on the ancient city walls.
Cash is widely accepted, and mobile payments such as WeChat Pay and Alipay are also available. Credit and debit cards are less commonly accepted at smaller vendors but may work at larger stores or restaurants.
There are a few local restaurants serving traditional Guizhou dishes, including spicy hotpot and rice noodles. Several small cafes near the entrance offer drinks and light snacks.
Vegetarian options are available, but vegan and halal food may be more limited. It’s best to check with local restaurants in advance if specific dietary requirements are needed.
There are several budget hotels and guesthouses near Longli Ancient City. Some of the larger accommodations include local chains and a few mid-range hotels. More luxurious stays can be found in Guiyang, about an hour away.
Nearby attractions include the Leigong Mountain National Nature Reserve, known for its natural beauty and hiking opportunities. The Zhijin Cave is another fascinating site that is easy to combine with a trip to Longli Ancient City.
There are several souvenir shops inside and near Longli Ancient City. Common souvenirs include local crafts such as handwoven textiles, wooden carvings, and traditional Guizhou teas.
The best way to continue your trip is by taking a taxi or local bus to nearby attractions. Guiyang, the provincial capital, is easily accessible by taxi or bus for further exploration of the region.
