The indigenous inhabitants of Guizhou, the Miao, have probably rebelled against Han Chinese rule more times than any other minority group in China. Since their incorporation into the state of Shu in the 10th Century BC, what has made the Miao difficult to suppress is their geographical location. Guizhou sits atop the Yunnan Guizhou Plateau, separated from the Chinese heartland by 1100 meters of altitude and amongst the thick vegetation. The Han migration into Guizhou has been one that has come slowly and in relative bursts throughout history during the 8th and 9th centuries AD. Tang soldiers moved into Guizhou and married indigenous women, with their future offspring being referred to as old Chinese. Many Han that live in Guizhou in the present can trace their lineage back to these old Chinese and speak with an archaic accent that has been preserved since the time of the Tang.
Since Mao’s passing through Guizhou during the Long March in 1934, the province has gained increased significance in more recent times. Mao referred to Guizhou as a “gorilla’s paradise,” and when the Communist party came to power, there was a focus on developing the province in case of a war with either the US or the Soviet Union.
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