Helü City

Helü City

Helü City is located near the Lü River in Xueyan Township of Wujin City and Huchang Township of Xishan City. This city was built in the Spring and Autumn period, during the power struggle among the states of Wu, Chu, and Yue, when King Helü of Wu ordered his minister Wu Zixu to construct it in the sixth year of King Jing of Zhou (514 BC) as a defensive measure against attacks from Chu and Yue. It served as an ancient military stronghold.

Surveys show that the city was surrounded by rivers on all sides, with only the southwestern half of the city wall remaining. The city is rectangular, with a perimeter of approximately 2,420 meters, about 910 meters in length from east to west, and about 600 meters in width from north to south. The base of the city walls is about 20 meters wide, and the current height varies between 2 to 4 meters. No bricks or stones have been found in the cross-sections of the walls, indicating that the city was built entirely of earth. Slightly east of the southern side of the city lies an opening about 36 meters wide, which may have been a gate at the time. The city’s location is strategically important: behind it are the Xushan, Pushe, and Longshan mountains serving as natural barriers; in the distance ahead lie the Nanshan mountain range, while to the left is a large lake. With signal beacon mounds on the hills and earthen fortifications below, the site is ideal for both offense and defense.

Artifacts from the Neolithic Age such as red pottery cauldrons, tripods, and black pottery dishes have been discovered within the city, along with stamped pottery featuring geometric and meander patterns, and primitive celadon bowls from the Spring and Autumn period.