Zhanglouzi Mountain City

Zhanglouzi Mountain City

Zhanglouzi Mountain City is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

Zhanglouzi Mountain City is situated on a hillside in the southwest of Zhanglouzi Village, Liqianhu Township, Tieling County. Locals call this place Qinglong Mountain. It was built by making slight modifications to the natural circular mountain terrain. The name “Yanjin Zhou” was assigned by the Tang government after the fall of Goguryeo. The construction of this mountain city dates back to the Sui and Tang periods, representing a late Goguryeo fortress site with a history of approximately 1,000 years. It is one of the better-preserved Goguryeo fortress sites in northern Liaoning. The walls are made of a mixture of earth and stone, and the site contains abundant relics. The defensive features of the mountain city are distinct, along with many layout characteristics rarely seen in other Goguryeo mountain cities. The total length of the city walls is 2,213 meters, and they were likely built from the Eastern Jin Dynasty to the early Tang Dynasty.

The mountain city has two gates, one in the south and one in the north. The north gate is the main entrance. Outside the north gate is a reservoir, and to enter the city through the north gate, one must first walk around the reservoir and then navigate an “S”-shaped winding mountain path to approach the gate. On both sides of the pathway outside the south gate are tall stone walls that form a narrow and twisting entrance. The interior of the city is relatively flat and open, most of which has now been converted into farmland, with scattered fragments of pottery and tiles visible. In the western half of the mountain city, there is a small depression shaded by pine trees, which locals say was once used as a stable for Goguryeo horses, hence called “Horse Pen.” The mountain city is located on the southern bank of the Fan River, overlooking the river valley. From atop, one can enjoy a distant panoramic view.

Protected Area: Within the city and within 10 meters outside the outer base of the city walls.

Construction Control Zone: A Class I Construction Control Zone extends 20 meters outside the protected area, and a Class III Construction Control Zone extends 60 meters beyond the Class I zone.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Liaoning Province