Nowadays, the Qingjiang River was called Yishui in ancient times, and Tujia people were descendants of the far Cubans. In the early years, Ba people marched westward along Yishui, and established the Bazi State in eastern Sichuan, which was later destroyed by Qin State. Some Ba people retired to Wuling area at the junction of Hunan, Hubei and Sichuan, forming Tujia nationality. Ba people call Han people "Hakka" and call themselves "Tujia".
The chieftain system originated in the Yuan Dynasty and lasted for more than 450 years in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. The imperial court conferred titles on the chieftain and granted him autonomy. The chieftain paid tribute to the imperial court. The toast Wang Sheng was killed in the palm of his hand, dominating the party, and he was actually a local tyrant.
The current Tusi City is an antique building complex built in 2002, which reproduces the politics, economy and culture of Tusi period in Tujia areas.
When I came to Tusi City, the first thing I saw was the gatehouse of Tusi City.
The gatehouse is tall and spectacular, well-structured, solemn and gorgeous, showing the dignity of the toast and embodying the intelligence of the Tujia people.
Walking into the gatehouse, there is a moat, and there is a wind and rain bridge on the river. The bridge pavilion has cornices and corners, and the beams are carved, which is very exquisite and beautiful. There are railings and benches on both sides of the bridge corridor for people to rest.
Not far along the moat, you will reach the "Linjun Temple".
According to legend, in ancient times, Ba Wuxiang, the ancestor of Tujia people, was promoted as a tribal leader, known as "Lin Jun".
After the death of Lin Jun, the soul turned into a white tiger, and the descendants worshipped it. Therefore, Ba people worship the white tiger and regard it as a totem.
Linjun Temple is built on the mountain, with double eaves and flying horns, and its momentum is extraordinary.
The "Linjun Temple" on the hill opposite the Linjun Temple is a three-story and three-story double-eaved building, which is even more imposing.
Go on for 200-300 meters after the Linjun Festival, and you will arrive at the "Jiujin Hall".
Jiujintang is the core and main building of Tusi City, and it is an antique architectural complex of Tujia stilts.
In front of the main entrance of Jiujin Hall is a wide square. On both sides of the door are stone statues of Tujia protector and white tiger. They all look lifelike and majestic.
Jiujintang is actually nine doors, and there are courtyards and floors behind each door. The diaojiao building, the waving hall, the official speech hall, the academy, the platform, the theater and so on are integrated into one. The corners of the pavilion and the eaves are flying, and the height is up and down, which is very spectacular.
Passing through one hall after another, one floor has a view, and standing at the highest level, the whole Jiujin Hall has a panoramic view, which makes people have to sigh. It is really a magnificent Tujia imperial city!
Coming out of the top floor of Jiujin Hall is the city wall. The city wall is 2320 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. It was built according to the mountain, and there is a beacon tower on the city wall. Looking at this long-distance city wall, there is a feeling of going back in time.
There is a bell tower at the highest part of the city wall, which is a three-story pavilion tower building. It stands silently on the city wall, as if telling the tragic and vicissitudes of the Tujia people for people coming and going.
I entered Tusi City at 8: 30 a.m. and swam out less than eleven o'clock. There's still plenty of time. We're going to visit Shinan Ancient City again and find a place to settle our lunch.
Next stop: Shinan ancient city