Pǔ'ān

Pu'an lies in the western Guizhou mountains, on the important route into Yunnan. The Yuan established Pu'an Circuit in this region, and the Ming subsequently set up both civil and military administrations. Pu'an Guard held a fortified town on the road, while Pu'an Prefecture initially governed from a separate seat. In 1586 the prefectural seat was moved inside the guard's walls, bringing the civil and military offices together. The Qing abolished the guard in 1687 and incorporated it into the prefecture.