Matou village in Kaiyang county

The entrance to Matou village. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

Matou village, located in the west of Hefeng Bouyei and Miao township in Kaiyang county, Guiyang city, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, is the centerpiece of the Shili Hualang scenic area.  

The village encompasses nine natural villages and 15 village groups, with ethnic groups - primarily the Bouyei and Miao people - making up 27 percent of its population. In addition to its tourism industry, the village cultivates selenium-rich rice, corn, tobacco and tea.

The name "Matou" (horse head) refers to the preservation of horse totems from the Luo Yue ancestors. This reflects the rich legacy of cultural integration between the Yue and Han cultures.  

Matou village boasts a long history, with ancient architectural complexes offering a glimpse into its past. The Matou stockade, over 700 years old, is a cultural gem that holds multiple prestigious titles, such as a national key cultural relic protection unit and one of Guizhou's top 10 distinctive ethnic architectural sites. The stockade is home to 65 well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368–1911) residential buildings.  

Today, Matou village stands as a model of Bouyei-Han cultural integration, utilizing its unique ethnic charm and picturesque landscapes to develop tourism. Baihua Mountain's "Yunshan Chahai" tea garden has become a popular tea-themed attraction, while the scenic Shuitou stockade, Pingzhai stockade and Matou stockade have emerged as major tourist destinations.