Aerial photo of Laosicheng Site

Maogusi Dance of Tujia Minority in Laosicheng

On-site photo of Laosicheng Site

Laosicheng, as the largest, earliest and best-preserved ancient Tusi city in China, succeeded in applying for World Cultural Heritage on July 4. Prof. Liu Su from School of Architecture of Hunan University (HNU) and his team made great contributions in the application process.
Since 2002, Liu and his team had devoted to the surveying and mapping for the ancient architectures of Laosicheng and its surrounding folk houses, which accumulated abundant data and findings for a conservation planning for the relics.
Based on existing archaeological findings as well as accurate surveying and mapping, they simulated the ancient scenes with computer technology and mapped out detailed architectural drawings. Finally, a big sandboxie model of Laosicheng was given out, providing people with a visual understanding of this historical site.

Located by the riverside of Lingxi River in the east of Yongshun County, Laosicheng was the Tusi Peng’s administration area of Ancient Xizhou, and the political, economic, cultural and military center for southwestern ethnic minorities during Tusi Period from the 13th to the early 20th century. It covered 818 years through the period of Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties with 28 royal houses and 35 feudal provincial or prefectural governors.

The site of Laosicheng consists of three areas including residential area, government office and living quarters for chieftains, as well as eight streets, namely, He (River) Street, Zuo (Left) Street, You (Right) Street, Zheng (Middle) Street, Banpo Street, Wutun Street, Yuedu Steet and Dongmen (East Gate) Street. Decorated with neat patterns of red-brown pebbles, the streets are classic and elegant with earthy style and profound Tujia features.