Zhashan Ancient Cultural Site

Zhashan Ancient Cultural Site

The Zhashan Ancient Cultural Site is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai Municipality.

The Zhashan Ancient Cultural Site (ZhashanGuwenhuaYizhi) is located at the foot of Zhashan Mountain in Jinwei Town, Jinshan County. It was discovered in 1977. On the southeastern slope, the first layer of unearthed artifacts includes remains from the Western Zhou and Shang dynasties, while the second layer consists of the Majiabang cultural stratum. In the cultivated land below the slope, the first layer contains pottery fragments from the Tang and Song dynasties, the second layer includes remains from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Tang and Song periods, and the third layer features artifacts from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods as well as early impressed pottery culture of the Maqiao type. In 1977, it was designated as a municipal-level protected site.

Located on the eastern side of Zhashan Mountain in Group 1, Changchun Village, Jinshanwei Town. It was discovered in 1972, and in the same year, an archaeological excavation of 163 square meters was conducted, uncovering a large number of cultural relics from various periods including the Majiabang, Maqiao, Wu-Yue cultures, as well as the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Tang, and Song dynasties. In 2008, the Archaeology Department of the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Committee carried out a second excavation at the Zhashan Ancient Cultural Site, confirming that the site covers an area of 30,000 square meters. This site is one of the three oldest ancient cultural sites discovered in Shanghai to date.

The Ming Dynasty’s "Yiqing Prefecture Records" states: “The recluse Qian named it Zha, and now the mountain faces the sea, with a Bathing Elixir Well and an Alchemy Room on top. The area at the mountain’s base is also called Immortal Mountain, which undoubtedly refers to Zhashan.” On the eastern foothills of the mountain lies the Renshou Temple, whose plaque was inscribed by the Yuan Dynasty calligrapher Zhao Mengfu. The mountain boasts numerous scenic spots, especially ten that are particularly renowned. About half a mile to the west of the mountain, there are two massive rocks believed to be the mountain’s feet. Today, there is a small town named Dashitou (Big Rock), named after them. By the time of liberation, Zhashan had undergone several rounds of mining, and many of its former scenic sites had disappeared. However, due to the effective management by stationed troops — including adding soil, paving roads, planting trees, afforesting, and cultivating flowers and bamboo — today’s Zhashan is surrounded by green waters and features serene mountain paths. It is located on the eastern side of Zhashan Mountain in Group 1, Changchun Village, Jinshanwei Town. It was discovered in 1972, and in the same year, an archaeological excavation of 163 square meters was conducted, uncovering a large number of cultural relics from various periods including the Majiabang, Maqiao, Wu-Yue cultures, as well as the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Tang, and Song dynasties. In 2008, the Archaeology Department of the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Committee carried out a second excavation at the Zhashan Ancient Cultural Site, confirming that the site covers an area of 30,000 square meters. This site is one of the three oldest ancient cultural sites discovered in Shanghai to date.

In 1977, the cultural relics management authorities designated the Zhashan Ancient Cultural Site as a protected site. In 2014, the Municipal People’s Government announced it as a cultural heritage protection unit.