Site of Zhongli Ancient City

Site of Zhongli Ancient City

The Site of Zhongli Ancient City is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Anhui.

The Site of Zhongli Ancient City is located on Wangchenggang Hill, north of the Fengyang–Mingguang Highway and 1.5 kilometers east of Linhuai Town in Fengyang County.

It is the most well-preserved ancient city site from the Spring and Autumn period in Anhui Province, originally serving as the capital of the Zhongli State during that era. Later, it became a battleground contested by the Wu and Chu states. The city lies to the south against hills, backed by the Huai River to the north, flanked by the Hao River on the left, and adjacent to a tributary of Huayuan Lake on the right.

In 538 BC, Zhiyin Yijiu of the State of Chu built this city. The Qin Dynasty established a county here, the Jin Dynasty set up a commandery, and the Sui Dynasty moved the seat of government westward to what is now Haozhou (present-day Linhuai Pass), leading to the decline of the original city. Historical records indicate that during the Zhou Dynasty, the Zhongli State was established here along with the construction of Zhongli City. In the seventh year of King Jing of Zhou (538 BC), the Chu State captured Zhongli, which then became a subordinate territory of Chu. In the second year of King Jing of Zhou (518 BC), a dispute over mulberry trees between children from border villages of Wu and Zhongli led to conflict between the two states, resulting in casualties on both sides. The King of Wu launched an attack on the Chu State, and Zhongli City came under Wu’s control. After King Goujian of Yue conquered Wu, Zhongli City fell under Yue’s rule. In the 35th year of King Xian of Zhou (332 BC), the Chu State defeated Yue, and Zhongli City once again became part of Chu. After the Qin Dynasty unified China, Zhongli City was placed under the jurisdiction of the Jiujang Commandery, and both Qin and Han Dynasties established counties and commanderies here. By the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty, the administrative center was moved westward to the present-day Linhuai Town, leading to the abandonment of the old city.

From its construction to eventual abandonment, Zhongli City remained in use for over 1,200 years. Today, the site remains relatively well-preserved. Originally, the city had square-shaped rammed earth walls, approximately 380 meters long from north to south and about 360 meters wide from east to west. Over centuries of weathering and agricultural activity, the earthen walls have eroded into mounds. The base of the walls is 18 meters wide, narrowing to 6 meters at the top, with remaining sections standing 3 to 5 meters high, and up to 5 meters at the four corners. Gaps marking the original four city gates—east, south, west, and north—and parts of the surrounding moat can still be seen. The walls were constructed from yellow earth, 30 centimeters thick. The area within and around the city contains rich cultural deposits dating from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods through the Qin and Han Dynasties.