Ruins of Pianlian City

Ruins of Pianlian City

The ruins of Pianlian City are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The ruins of Pianlian City are located on the southern slope of Baishanzuizi Hill in Xiuyan Village, Baishan Township, Lishu County, Siping City, Jilin Province, fronting the Zhaosutai River and about 4 kilometers south of downtown Lishu. The ancient city extends horizontally along the hillside, with its four high walls still clearly distinguishable. The terrain of the entire site is uneven, higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, slightly tilted to the east, resembling a skewed human face—hence the name “Pianlian City.”

The ancient city has a square layout, with rammed earth walls built in panels. The thickness of the rammed layers ranges from 10 to 15 centimeters, and the total perimeter is 4,318 meters. The east and west walls are roughly parallel to each other, as are the south and north walls. The east wall is 1,078 meters long; about 40 meters near the southern gate have collapsed, but the northern section is relatively well-preserved, reaching a maximum height of 6 meters. The south wall is 1,077 meters long and mostly collapsed, with the highest remaining section only 2.5 meters. The west wall is 1,077 meters long and well-preserved, with a maximum height of 7.4 meters. The north wall is 1,092 meters long, with a highest point of 7 meters.

The city had four gates: one each in the middle of the east and west walls, and one each toward the eastern parts of the south and north walls. Each gate was equipped with a horseshoe-shaped barbican. At each of the four corners of the city wall there is a circular tower platform that projects outward and rises above the wall top—these were watchtowers, offering a panoramic view of the city. Outside the west and north walls, remnants of moats can be found.

In the Liao and Jin dynasties, the ancient city was originally called Jiubai Xiying and was under the jurisdiction of Linjin County. Because Jiubai Xiying was located at a key transportation hub and was a necessary route for north-south travel, it was a fairly important town during the Liao and Jin periods. It was here that two emperors of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, were imprisoned for two years, leaving an important mark in history.

In May 2006, the ruins of Pianlian City, as an ancient site from the Liao to Jin periods, were approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Xiuyan Village: Xiuyan Village…… More details about Xiuyan Village ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units