World Heritage Identification Number: 1474
World Heritage since: 2015
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Archaeological Sites
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇳 China
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Tusi Sites: A Unique Blend of Ancient Governance and Cultural Preservation
The Tusi Sites, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of China's history, culture, and governance. Located in the rugged landscapes of southwestern China, these sites represent the remnants of several tribal domains governed by 'Tusi', hereditary rulers appointed by the central government during the Yuan (1279-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Located in the mountainous areas of south-west China, this property encompasses remains of several tribal domains whose chiefs were appointed by the central government as ‘Tusi’, hereditary rulers from the 13th to the early 20thcentury. The Tusi system arose from the ethnic minorities’ dynastic systems of government dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Its purpose was to unify national administration, while allowing ethnic minorities to retain their customs and way of life. The sites of Laosicheng, Tangya and Hailongtun Fortress that make up the site bear exceptional testimony to this form of governance, which derived from the Chinese civilization of the Yuan and Ming periods.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): Tusi sites of Laosicheng, Tangya and the Hailongtun Fortress clearly exhibit the interchange of human values between local ethnic cultures of Southwest China, and national identity expressed through the structures of the central government.
Criterion (iii): The sites of Laosicheng, Tangya and the Hailongtun Fortress are evidence of the Tusi system of governance in the South-western region of China and thus bear exceptional testimony to this form of governance which derived from earlier systems of ethnic minority administration in China, and to the Chinese civilisation in the Yuan, Ming and Qing periods.
Encyclopedia Record: Tusi Sites
The Tusi Sites refer to the three ancient Tusi sites in China that were designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on July 3, 2015. It is the 48th World Heritage Site in China. These sites are located in the mountains of Southwest China and exemplify the unique tusi governance system that survived the 13th through the 20th centuries.Additional Site Details
Area: 781.28 hectares
Number of Components: 3
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
Coordinates: 28.9986111111 , 109.9669444444
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Tusi Sites from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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A Study on the Architectural Form and Characteristics of Tusi Manors in the Yunnan–Tibet Region
Tusi manors in the Yunnan–Tibet region represent a unique blend of official and vernacular timber-framed architecture, embodying distinct regional characteristics and ethnic identity. This study reveals their rich construction wisdom and cultural significance as 'living' material evidence for understanding regional architectural craftsmanship. Through field surveys and on-site documentation, researchers analyzed 132 manors across 45 counties, identifying key features such as settlement mechanisms, site selection principles, courtyard layouts, and spatial configurations. By integrating natural environment and socio-cultural contexts, the study provides a multidimensional analysis that enhances awareness of this cultural heritage and offers guidelines for conservation efforts.
Su, Y., Li, M., Cheng, M., Qiang, M., & Zhou, X. (2025). A Study on the Architectural Form and Characteristics of Tusi Manors in the Yunnan–Tibet Region. Buildings, 15(7), 1134. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071134
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A Holistic Solution Integrating Multiple Interpretation Technologies to Enhance Sustainability of Poorly Accessible World Cultural Heritage: The Example of Hailongtun
Poor accessibility poses significant challenges to the sustainable development of World Cultural Heritage sites, yet few studies have addressed these practical issues. This research introduces a holistic solution that integrates six emerging technology methods to enhance the sustainability of poorly accessible heritage, demonstrated through the case study of Hailongtun Tusi in Guizhou Province, China. The approach leverages 3D digital technology, offering a cost-effective and scalable model for other countries facing similar challenges. By combining multiple interpretation technologies, this work provides a novel framework to promote the preservation and accessibility of world heritage sites while balancing technological simplicity with affordability.
Ren, W., Zhu, Y., Du, M., & Lai, J. (2021). A HOLISTIC SOLUTION INTEGRATING MULTIPLE INTERPRETATION TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY OF POORLY ACCESSIBLE WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE: THE EXAMPLE OF HAILONGTUN. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVI-M-1-2021, 617–624. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xlvi-m-1-2021-617-2021
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Evaluation of an Online 360° Virtual Reality World Heritage Site During COVID-19
A novel framework for evaluating online 360° virtual reality (OVRWCHT) systems demonstrates their effectiveness in interpreting and presenting UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, focusing on the Hailongtun Tusi Site in China, aligned its evaluation with ICOMOS Charter principles, revealing that stakeholders overwhelmingly agreed OVRWCHT enhances user experience and heritage interpretation, including outstanding universal value. While the findings underscore the potential of this technology, they also highlight the need for further data to refine both technological applications and theoretical foundations, especially regarding cross-cultural transferability. The research advocates for ICOMOS to expand its charters to address emerging technologies in heritage site management.
Ren, W., & Chen, X. (2021). Evaluation of an Online 360° Virtual Reality World Heritage Site During COVID-19. Open Archaeology, 7(1), 1192–1215. https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2020-0188
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Evaluation of the Online Virtual Reality 360° World Cultural Heritage Tourism under the Charter on Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage during the Covid-2019 Outbreak
An evaluation framework for Online Virtual Reality 360° World Cultural Heritage Tourism (OVRWCHT) was developed, demonstrating its effectiveness during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study, based on seven principles from the Charter of Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage, used Hailongtun Tusi as a case study and gathered feedback from 1062 stakeholders via online questionnaires. Findings indicated broad recognition for OVRWCHT, though further data is needed to enhance technology and theory, particularly regarding its transferability beyond China. The research suggests that ICOMOS should continue issuing guidelines for emerging technologies in cultural heritage interpretation.
Ren, W., & Chen, X. (2020). Evaluation of the Online Virtual Reality 360° World Cultural Heritage Tourism under the Charter on Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage during the Covid-2019 Outbreak. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-79453/v1
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Establishing World Cultural Heritage Sites Resource Allocation System and Management System based on Neural Network Algorithm—A Case on Hailongtun Tusi Site
A neural network-based system demonstrates significant potential for optimizing resource allocation and management at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly for cultural sites like the Hailongtun Tusi Site in Guizhou, China. The study leverages artificial intelligence to address complex calculations related to tourism resource parameters, such as face detection and recognition, while integrating creative computing methods to bridge tourism and computer science domains. This approach aims to enhance protection efforts and improve visitor services by achieving a more effective and reasonable distribution of resources. The case study highlights the system's applicability in real-world scenarios, offering a scalable solution for heritage site management.
Ren, W., Liu, Q., & Shi, M. (2019). Establishing World Cultural Heritage Sites Resource Allocation System and Management System based on Neural Network Algorithm—A Case on Hailongtun Tusi Site. International Journal of Performability Engineering. https://doi.org/10.23940/ijpe.19.02.p19.547558
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