Step back in time in Matou village, Guiyang's historical gem

Matou village is a traditional village featuring Bouyei architecture in Guiyang. [Photo/colorful Guizhou network]

Along the Qinglong River and halfway up Baihua Mountain, there is an ancient village built against the mountains. It is called Matou, located in Hefeng Bouyei and Miao township, Kaiyang county, Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province.

Matou has a long history that can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Since the Yuan and Ming dynasties (1271-1644), with the continuous growth of the Bouyei population, Matou gradually became an important settlement for this ethnic group.

Here, Bouyei people not only thrive, but also deeply root their unique architectural style and cultural customs in the village.

The cultural heritage of Matou is extremely rich and complex. Its iconic architecture, the ancient buildings of the Matou stockade village, is not only one of the oldest existing Tusi heritage sites in China, but has also been honored with many titles such as "major cultural heritage site under national-level protection", "famous Chinese historical and cultural village" and "traditional Chinese village".

It has also been named among the top 10 characteristic ethnic architectural buildings in Guizhou.

The ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties are arranged in a picturesque manner, with more than 90 buildings covering a vast area with intricate planning.

These buildings are mainly residential, complemented by temples, opera buildings, and ancient stone arch bridges, depicting a vivid picture of ancient village life.

On May 25, 2006, the ancient Bouyei architectural cluster of Matou was officially listed among the sixth batch of major cultural heritage sites under national-level protection by the State Council.

Today, Matou is attracting more and more attention with its unique charm, becoming an indispensable window into the history and culture of Guizhou.