Just when you think there is nothing else to be added to China’s UNESCO world Heritage list you get a surprise. A pleasant surprise. I have been to China so many times and yet I have never heard of the Tusi tribe and their influence on and importance to Chinese history. During my research about UNESCO’s newest addition I found that there are over 100 Tusi sites scattered around south-central and south-west China. This is an area inhabited by minorities and the Tusi people were employed to govern them on behalf of the ruling Han class of the Ming Dynasty. In modern language it’s called “outsourcing.”
Out of 100 sites only three are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites:
1) The Tangyacheng Site in Hubei – which includes government offices, judicial courts and forts,
2) The Hailongtun Site in Zunyi, Guizhou has a well-preserved fort that was often used as palace for imperial officials on inspection visits.
3) The Laosicheng Site in Youngshun county, Hunan has remains of a temple, houses, cemeteries, judicial court and forts and a still-working sewage system, all of which indicate a highly organised society.
Other UNESCO listings relevant to the minorities of China are in Yunnan and include the Honghe Rice Terraces and the Old Town of Lijiang of the Miao tribe. The Tusi sites represent various minorities: Miao, Tujia and Mulam .
With the addition of these Tusi sites China boasts the second-highest number of UNESCO sites of any country in the world..
About the author: Tara
The travel professional with years of experience in the travel industry – in guiding, reservations, operations, contracting, customer service and product development – and have travelled extensively in Asia and Eastern Europe not just on holiday but also for work, inspecting hotels, visiting attractions and seeing exactly what each destination has to offer. The only way I could do this properly was with my own guide, car and driver and this inspired me to create my own range of customised private day tours for other people to be able to explore in-depth and learn to love their destination as much as I do.
Website: www.readyclickandgo.com
Website: http://www.readyclickandgo.com
