Baiya Fortress

Baiya Fortress

Baiya Fortress is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Baiya Mountain is situated in Zhifeng Township, northwest of Susong County, more than fifty Chinese miles from the county town. The main peak, Yanlian Slope, has an altitude of 476 meters, with steep and narrow paths clinging to the cliffs. The "Little Great Wall of the South," Baiya Fortress, lies nestled in Baiya Mountain. The fortress walls surround five major peaks—Dongfeng, Xifeng, Xiyangjian, Yanlian Slope, and Dayin Slope—extending over ten Chinese miles. Winding and undulating, the walls are majestic and spectacular, resembling the Great Wall.

Baiya Fortress was first built in the late Yuan Dynasty and underwent repairs and expansions during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, boasting a history of nearly 700 years. The fortress walls are constructed from large square stone blocks, standing 3 meters high and 1 meter wide, stretching over 10 Chinese miles. They twist and turn among the five peaks, presenting a grand and imposing sight, thus earning the title "Little Great Wall of the South." There are five city gates built around the fortress. The terrain of Baiya is strategically perilous, easy to defend but hard to attack, and has been the site of military relics, cliff inscriptions, and legendary battles throughout the dynasties. Due to its rich historical and cultural landscape, it has been listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in the province and is suitable as a base for patriotic education.

Baiya Fortress features towering peaks, rugged rocks, lush forests and bamboo, ancient trees providing ample shade, birds singing melodiously, and streams with cascading waterfalls. The enchanting natural scenery and unique cultural landscapes complement each other beautifully. Among the many natural and cultural attractions of Baiya Fortress, the most eye-catching is undoubtedly the fortress walls. The walls stretch ten Chinese miles, are about one meter wide, and range from 2.8 to 5 meters in height, all built from large stone slabs. In particularly strategic sections, the walls are double-layered. Despite nearly 700 years of warfare and weathering, the walls remain largely intact. Originally, Baiya Fortress had five gates, but now only three remain: Panlong, Tingyu, and Chaojiu. For those seeking tranquility and antiquity, ascending from "Guancha Stone" leads directly to Panlong Gate, entering the heart of the fortress. Not far on either side, one can see the cliff inscriptions "Phoenix Rests, Dragon Soars" and "The Supreme Path." Continuing westward along the wall around Xifeng and Dongfeng, visitors will encounter many animal-shaped rocks and peculiar, marvelous sights along the way. Xiyangjian, at an altitude of 400 meters, is home to Frog Rock on its mountainside. Baihua Gate features Baihua Stone, while Qigan Slope lies to the east of Baihua Gate. Also known as the Cannon Platform or General Pointing Platform, it still retains a pair of stone clamps that once held flagpoles. Legend has it that Shi Kefa once raised his banner here and marshaled his troops. Fengtou Mountain resembles a phoenix crown, with a majestic presence. At its summit lies "Dao Ren Stone," which from afar looks strikingly like a monk in robes, devoutly worshipping Buddha. Shiling is located within Tingyu Gate, where Jiǔqū Jū resides.

This dwelling was built in the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign (1907) by He Xin, an official of the Ministry of Personnel. It earned its name because both the interior of the house and the path in front of the gate feature nine bends each.

Baiya Fortress is a scenic area and a key cultural relic protection unit in Anhui Province. The length of the stone fortress and its well-preserved condition are unparalleled in East China. Coupled with numerous Ming and Qing stone inscriptions, it is not only a historically valuable cultural relic but also a renowned tourist destination.

Protected Area: 50 meters outside the fortress walls on the east, west, south, and north sides.

Construction Control Zone: 1000 meters outside the protected area on the east, west, south, and north sides.

Zhifeng Village: Overview of Zhifeng Village: Zhifeng Village is located at the seat of the Zhifeng Township government, serving as the political, economic, and cultural hub of the township, as well as its transportation gateway to the outside world. The village comprises 17 villager groups, with a population of 1,560, 4,880 acres of mountain land, and 718 acres of arable land. It boasts abundant tourism and fruit resources, producing abundant quantities of fir, pine, bamboo, tea, chestnuts, and citrus fruits. The local specialty, handmade oil noodles, is highly favored by residents of surrounding counties. The national AAA scenic area and provincial key cultural relic protection unit, Baiya Fortress, is located within the village. Baiya Fortress was initially built during the Yuan Dynasty and has a history of over seven hundred... Detailed information on Zhifeng Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level