Tongren Attractions - Things to Do

Located at the northeast of Guizhou Province, the ancient city of Tongren is the capital city of Tongren Region that covers an area of 18,000 square kilometers (about 6,950 square miles). There are many tourist attractions in this region including Mt. Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Jinjiang River and Nine-dragon Cave Scenic Area. In the city, tourists can visit the thousand years old architecture, Dongshan Temple and Statue of Zhou Yiqun Martyr (one of the well-known generals of Chinese Red Army).
 

Perhaps the biggest and most famous scenic area in this region is the Mt. Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve. It has a rich biological heritage and famously known as being sacred to Chinese Buddhism. It is highly popular with tourists during summer and autumn, which are without doubt the best seasons for a visit here.
 

Rising from Mt. Fanjingshan, the Jinjiang River traverses Tongren City from west to east where it joins the mighty Yangtze. Green ranges cluster on both banks of the Jinjiang and pavilions are studded jewel-like among these ranges forming the approximately three-mile long 'Ten-li Jinjiaing Gallery'. Tourist destinations along the Jinjiang are: 'Wuling Small Suzhou' which describes the characteristics of Tongren City - mountain city and city on water, 'Jinjiang Twelve Scenes' which refers to the beautiful scenery on the river banks, and Jinjiang Park where tourists will find a white marble statue of Zhou Yiqun Martyr who was a well known general in the Red Army.
 

Liulongshan Zhuhai (Sea of Bamboo) Park lies to the southeast of Tongren adjacent to Liulongshan Village. It is a natural park boasting of a sea of bamboo. There are many trees and a variety of wild animals in the park, which make it a tourist attraction in summer as well as winter. When winter comes, the park becomes an immense and very beautiful snow-white bamboo sea. The well-known Nine-dragon Cave Scenic Area is in this park. Nine-dragon Cave Scenic Area is perhaps the second most popular tourist attraction in this region. It includes many scenic spots such as the resplendent Nine-dragon Caves Scenic Spot, the grand Jinjiang Gorge and the meandering Jinjiang Reservoir Area near the town of Yangtou, etc.
 

There are perhaps more than six historic sites in the city area: Old City Site located on the north bank of Jinjiang River is well known for its ancient architecture and city wall; Dongshan Temple located in the east of this region is a Buddhist sacred place dating from the Song Dynasty (960-1279). China Nuo Opera and Nuo Mask Museum located in the Temple is one of local must-see features. Nuo Opera has come to be recognized everywhere as a vivid folk art. Elaborate Nuo masks, costumes, libretto and other items used in Nuo Opera are displayed in the museum. Another historic site is Moujiapo Hanging Coffin, said to have been buried among the crags 80 meters (about 262 feet) high above the horizon years ago. It is known from textual research that this was a burial custom of the Gelao Minority during Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is considered a mysterious site located in Moujiapo Village of Daping Town west of Tongren City.
 

Recently, in Dejiang County of the city, people have discovered an ancient city site which is embraced by Qinglong Mountain and Yuping Mountain. The site, built in large scale, is composed of three old villages, upper village, middle village and lower village respectively. From the relics of the city gate, walls, foundations of houses and drainage systems, we can easily conclude that the original city must have been well designed and constructed. The relics of courtyard walls, gates and steps are carved with delicate flower patterns. Sites of ancient pagodas, temples and tombs prove the site was a prosperous city in the past.

With respect to the identity of the site, there is no final conclusion. Some people argue that it is the location of Fuyang County in Tang (618 - 907) or Song Dynasty (960 – 1279), but some don't agree by insisting it was built by the descendants of the royal Ming (1368 - 1644) court. Experts are doing further research to draw a settled conclusion as soon as possible. 
 

It is located next to the West Gate Big Bridge (Xi Men Da Qiao) in Tongren City of Guizhou Province. The front square is paved with pieces of green bricks, simulating a carpet. Guests will see the name of the park "Jin Jiang Gong Yuan" (Jinjiang Park) greeting them upon entering.

Entering the main gate, a sea of flowers gives out sweet fragrances. Visitors feel like they are back to nature, as everywhere there are trees, flowers, miniature gardens, rockeries, ponds and winding paths. Located within the park are a gymnasium and a ballroom. A small square where the statue of the martyr Zhou Yiqun stands has been named "the base for patriotism education." Children can have fun with bumper car rides while young people can enjoy themselves in Karaoke bars. Adults who dislike noises can sit in the pergolas near the Jinjiang River and listen to the waves. Jinjiang Park is a paradise for people of all ages. 

In addition, some other scenic spots around Jinjiang River are worthy of a visit: Lianchi Nunnery located on the south bank of Jinjiang River has a temple and pavilion site. Dongping Mountain at Yangtou Town on the east bank of Jinjiang River is one of the three sacred Buddhist places. One of two further historic sites that are attractive to those who are interested in archaeology is the Dujiayuan Neolithic Cultural Relic. This is located on the lower reaches of the river, about 12 kilometers (about 7.46 miles) from Nine-dragon Caves Scenic Spot. The second is the Yandong Neolithic Cultural Relic which can be found alongside the river some 4 kilometers (about 2.49 miles) from the Nine-dragon Caves.