Daqing Chuhedian Ancient Battlefield

Daqing Chuhedian Ancient Battlefield

Chuhedian was a place name during the Liao and Jin dynasties, located in the southwestern part of Heilongjiang region, on the north bank where the lower reaches of the Nen River converge with the Songhua River. It is the ancient city of "Anglaer" to the south of Maoxing Town, Zhaoyuan County—commonly known as "Leleyingzi." Situated at the highest point to the west, Qingshantou stands over 160 meters above sea level. The top of the plateau is flat and has been cultivated into farmland, stretching about 600 meters from north to south. It is the site of the Jin Dynasty’s Jiangzhou City ruins.

In the historical development of the Liao and Jin dynasties, the Battle of Chuhedian, like the Battle of Red Cliffs during the Three Kingdoms period and the Battle of Fei River in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, stands as a glorious example of a smaller force achieving victory over a much larger one. In the late years of the Liao Dynasty, Emperor Tianzuo (Yelü Yanxi) was incompetent and tyrannical, imposing heavy taxes and mismanaging the state. In February of the second year of the Tianning era (1112 AD), Yelü Yanxi held a “First Fish Banquet” in Hunjiang City to entertain the chieftains of various Jurchen tribes within a thousand-li radius. During the feast, the Liao emperor ordered the chieftains to dance in turn to entertain him. Aguda, the chieftain of the Wanyan tribe of the Jurchens, refused to comply. Enraged, the Liao emperor sought to punish him.

After returning to his tribe, Aguda built fortifications, forged weapons and armor, recruited soldiers, and stockpiled provisions. Striking first, he led a force of fewer than a thousand men and successfully captured cities such as Ningjiangzhou and Liaohui City. Then, in November of the fourth year of the Tianning era (1114 AD), with just a force of 3,700 men, Aguda defeated 100,000 Liao troops stationed at Chuhedian. On the first day of the first lunar month of the following year (1115 AD), he officially ascended the throne (as Emperor Taizu), proclaimed the state title as Da Jin (Great Jin), and founded the Jin Dynasty.

Although this historical event took place nearly 900 years ago, the Daqing Mountains still bear scattered white bones and traces of smoke from those times. The Chuhedian ruins extend 1.5 kilometers eastward from the western end of Qingshantou, where ancient pottery shards can be found along the way, especially abundant at the edges of the plateau. The Chuhedian ruins, along with the Baipinbao culture, belong to Bronze Age archaeological sites. Climbing up to the Daqing Mountains and looking into the distance, you’ll see the beautiful scenery of Maoming Lake blending seamlessly with the sky, waterfowl soaring overhead—an enchanting sight.