Ancient Fuzhou City

Ancient Fuzhou City

Ancient Fuzhou City is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

Ancient Fuzhou City is located in the central area of Wafangdian City and is the birthplace of history in southern Liaoning. Established over a thousand years ago during the Liao Dynasty, it is a cultural, tourism, and trade city with a long history, developed culture, thriving commerce, and beautiful scenery. The ancient city was originally built with rammed earth, commonly known as an "earth enclosure," and was first constructed during the Liao Dynasty. In the fourth year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1406), Cai Zhen, the Marquis of Baoding, was ordered to come to Fuzhou and transformed the earthen city into a stone one. In the forty-second year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1777), Chen Quan, the magistrate of Fuzhou, was instructed to renovate the city, converting it into a brick-walled city, which was completed three years later. After several historical changes, although most of the ancient city walls have been demolished, many historic sites remain preserved to this day.

【Yongfeng Pagoda】 The Yongfeng Pagoda of Fuzhou was built during the Liao Dynasty. Standing 28 meters tall, it is an 13-story, solid, octagonal, closely-eaved pagoda. This pagoda is the only remaining Liao Dynasty brick pagoda in southern Liaoning. Having endured for thousands of years through vicissitudes, despite weathering and erosion, it still stands firmly and has become a famous historical site of the ancient city. In 1967, it was listed as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit, and in 2003, it was further listed as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

【Yongfeng Temple】 Yongfeng Temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty. The temple complex includes seven major halls—the Mahavira Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Mountain Gate Hall, the Lu Zu Hall—and two bell towers, housing over 60 statues, forming a large ancient architectural ensemble that complements the ancient pagoda. One of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Fuzhou,” the “Evening Glow at Yongfeng,” can be seen here. An ancient poem praises it: “The ancient temple majestically guards Yongfeng; before Buddha, the evening glow soars above the hall. The golden splendor of six dynasties fades on the old stupa, while a touch of rouge creates nature’s artistry. At dusk, purple hues veil the surrounding mountains; a blush of red crowns the spire’s tip. Nestled by the southern outskirts near the city gate, it becomes one of the eight scenic wonders best visited on a moonlit night.”

【Dragon Claw Ancient Locust Tree】 Beneath Yongfeng Pagoda stands an ancient Dragon Claw Locust Tree, unique in both its age and peculiar form across southern Liaoning. Historical records indicate that during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, a wandering monk from Hubei traveled a great distance to plant this tree, which has now stood for over 400 years. Today, the ancient locust tree boasts dense foliage, providing ample shade like a giant umbrella sheltering visitors from rain and sun. Its thick trunk, twisted roots, interwoven branches, and unusual twin limbs resemble a dragon stirring the sea or an eagle spreading its wings. From certain angles, the tree takes the vivid shape of two lions, exuding an otherworldly charm. Countless painters have captured its image here, and poets from all over have composed verses in its honor. In 1988, the Dragon Claw Ancient Locust Tree was listed as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit of Dalian.

【Hengshan Academy】 Hengshan Academy was established during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of over 160 years. It was the highest institution of learning in the region at the time. For about 60 years, from its founding until around 1905, the academy flourished academically, surpassing others in southern Liaoning, and nurtured a large number of scholars and learned individuals. Records show that nearly 300 students achieved scholarly honors, including 10 Juren (successful candidates in the imperial examinations at the provincial level), 2 Jinshi (advanced scholars), and 1 Hanlin academician. This ancient architectural complex has always been a cradle of learning and refinement, truly a place for cultivating talent and advancing scholarship. In 1997, Hengshan Academy was listed as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

【Mosque】 The Fuzhou Mosque was built during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. The main prayer hall of the mosque faces east and features a layout of three bright sections and two dark sections, supported by 32 grand pillars that uphold the majestic structure. The hall’s brackets, lattice windows, spandrels, and swallowtail decorations are all made of wood, intricately carved with exquisite craftsmanship. The Suzhou-style painted designs are richly gilded and vibrant as embroidered silk. The mythical beast ornaments on the roof ridge are strikingly lifelike. The courtyard features elegantly arranged corner pavilions, pathways, arched gates, and flower gardens, all blending harmoniously. A golden plaque hanging above the main hall, inscribed with the words “All Transformations Pay Homage to the True,” was bestowed by General Zuo Baogui. The mosque was listed as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit of Dalian in 2002.

【Magistrate’s Office】 The Fuzhou Magistrate’s Office served as the workplace for magistrates across various dynasties. During the Republican era, it housed the Fuxian County Office, and after liberation, it became the seat of the Fuxian County Government. The existing office building was constructed during the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty, dating back over 260 years. It consists of a three-courtyard complex, divided into the Main Hall, Second Hall, and Third Hall. The Main Hall was where the magistrate presided over trials; the Second Hall was used by officials to handle administrative affairs; and the Third Hall served as the living quarters for the magistrate and his wife. The architecture of the office is elegant and imposing, with dragon carvings along the roof ridges, overhanging eaves, and red-painted pillars lining the corridors. Grand stone steps lead up to the front hall, a war drum is placed at the eastern corner of the courtyard, and two mounting stones stand outside the main gate. The walls flanked with wing-like extensions are inscribed with the vermilion characters “Silence” and “Stand Back,” exuding an air of solemnity. In 1993 and 2012, the Fuzhou Magistrate’s Office was respectively listed as a municipal and provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

【Fuzhou Defense Command】 The Fuzhou Defense Command was a military institution established in the 26th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1687). The surviving structures include the front and rear office buildings, whose roof ridges are adorned with black brick carvings of coiled dragons, and mounting stones are placed at the entrance. Within the courtyard stands an ancient locust tree over 260 years old, with a trunk over a meter thick and lush green foliage, forming a notable landmark of the ancient city.

【Ming-Qing Street】 Ming-Qing Street is located on the eastern section of Ancient Fuzhou City and currently preserves 36 well-maintained buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 2012, a couplet street was created here, with 36 pairs of classic wooden couplets hanging from the ancient buildings.

【Ancient City Wall Remnants】 The remaining eastern gate of the ancient city, the barbican, and a 114-meter-long section of the ancient wall serve as historical testimonies to the city walls of Fuzhou. Having withstood the test of time and elements, they still stand today. Here, visitors can explore the past, reflect on history, and delve into archaeological studies.