Ruins of the Sibian Xiaolu Patrol Inspectorate City

Sibian Xiaolu Patrol Inspectorate City Ruins

The Sibian Xiaolu Patrol Inspectorate City Ruins are a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The ruins of the Sibian Xiaolu Patrol Inspectorate City are located in Shameng Town, Yuhuan County, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

According to the Yongle-era "Yueqing County Annals": “The Xiaolu Patrol Inspectorate was located at Fenglinxiachang, Sanshisan Du, Yuhuan Township, this county. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was at Xiaolu, Sanshi Du, Yuhuan Township; in the first year of the Hongwu era of our dynasty, it was established in the same place; in the third year, it was moved to Hengshanbian, Sanshi’er Du; in the twentieth year, for defense purposes, Patrol Inspector Yue Lu, following imperial decree, relocated and rebuilt it at the current site. It included a main hall with three rooms, a drum tower with one room, inspector quarters with three rooms, clerk quarters with three rooms, archers’ rooms totaling ten, a city wall extending 140 zhang around, and one gate with a tower on top.”

This patrol inspectorate city site was originally built in the 20th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty. Established during a time when Japanese pirates frequently raided and border tensions were high, it was built under the command of Patrol Inspector Yue Lu, relying on the natural barrier of Snake Mountain, serving as a military garrison to defend against invaders.

The Xiaolu Patrol Inspectorate City was first established during the Yuan Dynasty in Xiaolu, then during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, due to ongoing pirate threats, it was relocated several times to locations such as Xiaolu, Hengshan (Qingling in western Chumen), and Snake Mountain. Yet the Xiaolu Patrol Inspectorate City title persisted, marking successive extensions and rebirths of its legacy. Even after it fell into ruin, people built a Temple to the City God within its heart, praying for the deity’s protection, ensuring the city would not be forgotten—this marked yet another rebirth. The incense at the City God Temple burns brightly, like the heart of the patrol inspectorate city, while generations of worshippers flow in like lifeblood, keeping its spirit alive forever.

On January 13, 2017, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province listed it as part of the seventh batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Shameng Town: Located in the northeastern part of Yuhuan County, Zhejiang Province, Shameng Town borders the sea to the southeast, connects to Longxi and Ganjiang to the south, neighbors Chumen Town to the west, and adjoins Wenling City to the north. The town covers a total area of 38.91 square kilometers, with a population of 23,900, and administers 23 villages. It features ancient trees of cultural significance such as a thousand-year-old camphor tree and ginkgo, a small (Type I) reservoir, and the national second-class public fishing port—Lingmen Fishing Port. In 2004, Shameng Town achieved a total industrial and agricultural output value of 503.2 million yuan, including 271.2 million yuan from industry and 232 million yuan from agriculture; local fiscal revenue was 1.87 million yuan; and the per capita income of farming and fishing households was... More detailed information about Shameng Town++

Further reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units