Imagine stepping into a realm where history whispers from every corner. That is Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County, a place where time seems to slow. It is located within the prefecture-level city of Guilin, Guangxi, China.
Gongcheng County boasts a rich history. It began in the Sui dynasty as Chacheng County. During the Tang dynasty, its name changed to Gongcheng County. A significant shift occurred on February 3, 1990. Gongcheng County became Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County.
Gongcheng spans 2,149 square kilometers. As of 2011, its population stood around 300,000. The landscape here is mostly mountainous. The southern part of the county and the Cha River valley offer lower terrain.
The climate in Gongcheng is a subtropical monsoon climate. Summers are long, hot, and humid. Winters are short and dry. The county gets ample light and rainfall. The average annual rainfall is 1,483.8 mm. The annual average humidity reaches 75%.
Gongcheng is divided into six towns and three townships. The county government resides in Gongcheng town. Limu, Lianhua, Jiahui, Xiling, and Ping’an are other towns. Sanjiang Township, Guanyin Township, and Longhu Township complete the administrative divisions.
As of 2011, approximately 60% of Gongcheng’s population were ethnically Yao. Gongcheng County has earned the title “China’s longevity”. By the end of 2013, the average life expectancy reached 77.09 years.
Gongcheng’s Yao community comprises several subgroups. These include the Pan Yao, Pingdi Yao, Guoshan Yao, and Sidamin Yao. Each group has its own distinct customs and traditions.
The Yao people have unique marriage customs. Traditionally, they do not marry outside their ethnicity. Marriages can be love matches or arranged by families. During the Spring Festival, young boys and girls engage in antiphonal singing. This question-and-answer exchange can lead to a match.
The Yao also observe specific taboos. They avoid stepping on stoves. Burning paper with written words is forbidden. Wearing white shoes and hats indoors is a symbol of funerals.
Gongcheng offers several notable tourist attractions. The Yindianshan Forest Reserve and the Xilinggang Bird Reserve are havens for nature lovers. Historic temples dedicated to Confucius and Zhou Wei provide insights into the region’s cultural heritage.
The Confucius Temple was built in 1477. It is one of the best-preserved Ming dynasty structures in the area. It is also among China’s four largest Confucius Temples. The temple’s design integrates the surrounding mountains and the Cha River.
The Wu Temple stands near the Confucius Temple. Built initially in 1603, it honors Guan Yu, a general from the Three Kingdoms period. This is the only place in China where a Confucius temple and a Martial Arts temple coexist.
About 800 meters from the Wu Temple lies the Zhuo Wei Temple. It commemorates Zhuo Wei, an official from 999 AD. The temple features a unique architectural style. The brackets of the walls create a noise when grazed by air currents. This deters birds and flies from nesting.
Gongcheng’s Yao people maintain diverse traditions. Proverbs, poems, and unique festivals enrich their culture. These include the Panwang Festival, Jichun Festival, Danu Festival, Shuaigetang Festival, and Paga Festival.
The lusheng, a mouth reed organ, is played by the Pingdi Yao people of Shuibing Village in Guanyin Township. Some Yao women possess skills in traditional weaving, dyeing, and embroidery. They craft traditional Yao clothing with distinct patterns.
So, as you wander through Gongcheng, remember that you are walking through centuries of history and tradition. Appreciate the blend of natural beauty and cultural richness that defines this unique corner of the world.