Dicao Yuan Earth Fortress

Dicao Yuan Earth Fortress

The Dicao Yuan earth fortress from the Qing Dynasty was built nearly 200 years ago and features unique site selection and architectural design.

The fortress is built on a gentle slope, and because residents have continuously lived inside, the structures within have largely retained their original appearance. It includes five wing rooms and over 50 rooms of various sizes. The buildings are stepped upward following the terrain and arranged in an elliptical formation. The 4-meter-high thick earthen walls, built from loess and pebbles, are exceptionally sturdy. The walls are equipped with diagonal bamboo tube slots, observation platforms, and observation windows. The main gate is made of thick wood and houses storage rooms, a well, and other facilities, allowing it to accommodate 300 people for living and defense.

The beauty of Dicao Yuan Earth Fortress lies in its walls — these terraced walls that rise along the mountain slope and their uniquely shaped rooftops. The rear of the fortress is almost round, while the front is elliptical. The main gate is located on the left front side and consists of a two-finger-wide wooden door, with two rows of stone benches on either side inside for resting. The entire wall follows the gentle slope of the land, featuring a distinct and dynamic external silhouette. From a distance, it resembles a peacock with its tail spread, appearing quite majestic and spectacular.

Yanqian Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Sanyuan District, Sanming City. In 1958, Yanqian Commune was established; in 1984, it was restructured as a subdistrict; in 1987, it became a township; and in 1992, it was upgraded to a town. Located in the western part of the city, it is 32 kilometers from downtown. Covering an area of 330 square kilometers, it has a population of 20,000. Provincial Highway Jingxie runs through the town. The town administers 12 village committees — Yanqian, Jikou, Wulong, Xiazhai, Xingqiao, Meishan, Fuyuan, Ouhang, Zengfang, Baiyekeng, Zhongshan, and Henghang — and one neighborhood committee, Yangyan. The main agricultural products are rice, citrus, watermelon, edible fungi, and livestock and poultry, making it a key supplier of non-staple food for the urban area. Township industrial products include limestone and cement... Detailed information about Yanqian Town ++