Guizhou harbors a low-key World Cultural Heritage site, the Hailongtun Fortress

Hailongtun, also known as Longyantun in ancient times, was a military fortress for the local Tusi chieftains during the medieval period of the Bozhou region, established during the Southern Song dynasty. By taking advantage of the terrain, the fortifications were strengthened, making the city, which spans about ten miles, as impregnable as a metal cauldron. Hailongtun is the only well-preserved medieval military castle found in China to date, with many relics buried under two meters of soil and wild grass for 400 years. The ancient castle still retains remnants of walls, passes, watchtowers, palaces, halls, barracks, and storehouses. Built against the mountain, the terrain is perilous, truly a strategic military location that was highly contested. Touring the site involves climbing stairs, starting right after getting off the sightseeing bus. There are a total of 9 passes to cross, one royal palace ruin, and a thirty-six-step ladder as the main attractions. The most exciting part of Hailongtun is the first half of the journey after climbing the mountain, starting from the thirty-six-step ladder. This section is connected with the Flying Dragon Pass, Flying Tiger Pass, Flying Phoenix Pass, and Facing Heaven Pass, where the terrain is extremely dangerous, and one must be very careful when climbing. To complete the entire tour, it is necessary to reserve about 4-5 hours (including the sightseeing bus), and it is very tiring, especially the half-meter-high steps of the thirty-six-step ladder. Between the parking lot and the visitor center, there is a street with food vendors where the prices are not high; a bowl of wheat ears for 10 yuan and a covered rice dish for 15 yuan are enough to satisfy hunger.