Site of Zhenhai Guard City

Site of Zhenhai Guard City

The Site of Zhenhai Guard City is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Ming Dynasty

Address: At the foot of Mount Nanputuo, Longhai City, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, by the Hongjiang River

This is a renowned ancient military city. Its walls, entirely built of stone, hug the mountains and face the sea, resembling a dragon emerging from the water. Alongside Weihai Guard, Tianjin Guard, and Jinshan Guard, it is known as one of the Four Famous Guards of the early Ming Dynasty. Zhenhai Guard was built in the 20th year of the Hongwu reign (1387) by Zhou Dexing, Marquis of Jiangxia, to defend against Japanese pirates. It predates Zhaojiabao in Zhangpu by over 180 years and is more than twice its size. The guard city originally had four gates—east, west, south, and north—each with a tower. Later, the east gate was usually closed, and a water gate was opened instead. The best-preserved today are the south gate and the water gate. The south gate, in particular, features a unique construction with two layers of gates. After entering the first gate, there are semicircular walls on both sides, commonly known as "Yuemei City" (or "Moon City" for short).

Inside the city are Hou Mountain, Drum Mountain, Yao Mountain, Zhao Mountain, and Granary Mountain, commonly referred to as the Five-Star Mountains. Outside the city are Brew Kettle Head Mountain and Earth God Mountain, shaped like the Seven Stars scattered across the land, collectively called the Seven Stars Descending to Earth. To the south of the city are Elephant Trunk Mountain and Flag Tail Mountain. The Zhenhai Guard city is dotted with wells, reportedly totaling 99, located along stone paths, beside banyan trees, and within courtyards. Legend has it that the Seven-Star Well and the Willow Tree Well have the sweetest water. The Seven-Star Well is now within a People’s Liberation Army camp area, and its water supplies the entire camp for drinking and washing. The Willow Tree Well is located within the residential area inside the south gate. Both inside and outside Zhenhai Guard, the landscape features beautiful mountains and seas, along with many well-preserved ancestral halls, temples, pavilions, steles, and memorial archways for visitors to admire. Within the city, there are also historical sites such as the Decapitated Arhat, Dongyue Scenic View, City God Temple, Confucius Temple, Memorial Stele of the Righteous School, Remains of the Dressing Tower, Guan Yu Temple, Remnants of the Stele of General Zhaoyi, Ancient Stone Archway, Ming Dynasty Old Street, and Ancient City Walls. To the right of the water gate under a willow tree lies an ancient underground tunnel, said to be a vast network of interconnected passages and one of the Eighteen Caves of Southern Fujian, known as the “Flying Moth Cave.” Also to the right of the water gate, there stands an ancient banyan tree (a red banyan), at least as old as the guard city itself. It serves as a living witness to the rise and fall of Zhenhai Guard.

Zhenhai Guard City has withstood six hundred years of history, and the majestic aura of its ancient fortifications still remains. With its magnificent mountains and seas, abundant resources, and prosperous people, it shines like a pearl on the sea, radiating splendid brilliance.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units