Beijing Zhangfang Ancient War Tunnel Ruins

Beijing Zhangfang Ancient War Tunnel Ruins

The Beijing Zhangfang Ancient War Tunnel Ruins is a national A-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

The Zhangfang Ancient War Tunnel is located in Zhangfang Village, Zhangfang Town, Fangshan District, Beijing. It is an ancient war tunnel (underground passage) built during the Zhenzong era of the Northern Song Dynasty. The tunnel extends 4 meters underground from the surface, constructed with blue bricks, 2 meters wide, and 2–3 meters in height. The floor is paved with blue bricks, with drainage grooves and water storage jars on the sides, wall-mounted lamps, and ventilation holes at the top. The tunnel features hidden troop chambers about 2 meters wide on both sides, with earthen kang beds inside. The ancient war tunnel spreads extensively underground, twisting and turning, connecting to the four gate towers of the ancient town. Initial explorations suggest a total length of 1,500 meters, with over 400 meters currently discovered and restored. During the Song and Liao dynasties' standoff, the tunnel’s excellent military capabilities for both offense and defense once forced the Liao troops in the Youzhou region to focus on fortification and prevented them from advancing southward.

Fangshan Zhangfang Ancient War Tunnel

The military function of the ancient war tunnel was further utilized during the Ming Dynasty. In the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, after the Yuan nobility fled to Mongolia, they frequently raided southward. The ancient war tunnel became a military stronghold for the Ming army to resist the Mongols. According to the Fangshan County Annals: “Seventy li southwest of the county, at the northern end of Zhangfang Street, there is a three-story tower with its main gate facing south, standing several zhang tall. The lower level is hollow and very dark, with a tunnel extending northwest for about two li leading to the Ren Family Tomb, commonly believed to belong to a grand secretary. Midway up the staircase from the lower to the middle level, there is a well, rumored to contain sword trees and an execution rack—anyone falling in would not survive. Inside is a statue of the Azure Primordial Goddess. The upper level offers a distant view, and both the upper and middle levels connect to tunnels.”

Zhangfang boasts not only an ancient city and ancient town tower but also the ancient Tianqing Pagoda of the Liao Dynasty. It complements the Tie Suo Cliff by the Juma River and the waist of Sun Bin Mountain, forming a scenic line with Yunju Temple, Zhongshan Temple, Huanggu Tuo, the Tang Dynasty Pagoda at Xiasi, the Zhenjiang Ying Pagoda, and the Zhao Pagoda, welcoming visitors from around the world to explore and share in the profound richness of Chinese civilization.

Introduction: Preliminary explorations indicate the ancient war tunnel is approximately 1,500 meters long, with over 400 meters already restored. According to cultural relics experts, it is the only military ancient war tunnel discovered so far in the Beijing area. It includes troop hiding chambers, armament rooms, command rooms, and living facilities, holding significant value for the study of ancient military, political, and architectural history.

Attraction Location

Relic Amusement Park, Zhangfang Village, Zhangfang Town, Fangshan District, Beijing