The Laosi ruins, known as China's Pompeii,located in the Hunan Province, include ancient tombs, pavilions, streets, walls and stone sculptures -- more than 12,000 relics in all.
Archeologists have recently concluded a two-year excavation of the site, and found the town that existed between 1135 and 1728 has an urban layout with a road network and complete drainage system.
Laosi represents the Culture of Yongshun Tusi Regime, which was a special system that ancient Chinese dynasties applied to rule ethnic groups in certain regions by granting hereditary titles to local leaders.
Laosi was the political and economic center of the region, which is today's Xiangxi Tujia Autonomous Prefecture, from the Southern Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.
The cultural authority in central China's Hunan province, home to the ruins, said it will urge China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage to add Laosi to a tentative list of Chinese attractions for which the central body is aiming to get UNESCO recognition.
Visitors cross a river by boat to reach the site in flood season.
Exquisitesculptures are seen at a stone bridge.
