# Laosicheng

- **Country:** China
- **Coordinates:** 29.015765, 109.935271
- **Location Text:** (老司城)

Laosicheng is a significant archaeological site located in Sicheng Village within Lingxi Town, Yongshun County, Hunan Province, China. Situated along the banks of the Lingxi River, this ancient settlement served as the historic capital for the Peng clan Tusi chieftains for six centuries. Originally known as Fushicheng or Fushi City, the complex was established in 1135 during the Southern Song dynasty and remained occupied until its abandonment in 1724 under the Qing dynasty. Recognized as the largest, earliest, and best-preserved ancient Tusi city in China, it holds the distinction of being the first World Cultural Heritage site designated in Hunan Province, receiving UNESCO status in July 2015 as part of the Tusi Sites.

The site spans a total area of 25 square kilometers, with a core zone exceeding 250,000 square meters that features a sophisticated urban layout complete with road networks and drainage systems. Excavations have revealed numerous relics, including the Hall of Patriarch, the Peng clan temple, tombs of Tusi chieftains, ancient streets, city walls, memorial arches, bronze bells, and stone horses. These remnants offer profound insights into the administrative and cultural life of the region, marking the location as a sacred place central to Tujia culture and history.

Today, Laosicheng exists primarily as a protected archaeological park and a major tourist attraction rated AAAA. While the original structures were abandoned nearly three hundred years ago, the preserved ruins and unearthed artifacts provide a tangible connection to the medieval governance systems of southwestern China. Its designation as a Major National Historical and Cultural Site ensures ongoing conservation efforts, allowing visitors to explore the physical legacy of the Tusi system and the unique heritage of the Tujia people in a riverside setting.

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laosicheng (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)