History of Shizong

Shizong boasts a profound cultural heritage. In the 6th year of the Yuanding reign of the Western Han Dynasty (111 BC), the area fell under the jurisdiction of Loujiang County, Zangke Commandery. During the Two Jin Dynasties, it was inhabited by the Eastern Cuan Wuman tribes. In the early Tang Dynasty, a tribal chieftain named Shizong led his people to settle in Nongnongdian (near present-day Xihua Village on the outskirts of the county seat), after which the place was named after him.

The county has a history of more than 700 years as an official administrative region. It is the hometown of distinguished historical figures including Dou Xu, the writer of the long couplet at Yueyang Tower, and He Guizhen, tutor to Emperor Xianfeng. Therefore, Shizong is reputed as "the Hometown of Couplets" and "the Hometown of Imperial Tutors".

Five ethnic groups — the Yi, Zhuang, Miao, Yao and Hui — have lived here for generations. Their traditional dwellings, costumes, languages, songs and dances, rituals, as well as production and lifestyles have been well preserved to this day.

Wrestling, a traditional local sport, enjoys a widespread reputation, earning Shizong the title of "the Hometown of Wrestling". It has also been honored as a National Advanced County for Sports.