Ancient Underground Tunnels

Ancient Underground Tunnels

The ancient underground tunnels are a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Hebei Province.

Ancient Underground Tunnels

Ancient Underground Tunnels The ancient underground tunnels are mainly located in Fengfeng Mining District of Handan City, Xiyangcheng in Yongnian, and Jingu Village in Wu'an. In Fengfeng Mining District, the tunnels are located in the three townships of Linshui, Fengfeng, and Pengcheng, 4–9 meters underground. The tunnel system includes entrances, passageways, air vents, lamp niches, chambers, and wells. The entrances are vertical shafts descending 4–9 meters underground, then branching out in all directions, forming a crisscross network. Some sections are divided into upper, middle, and lower levels. The passageways are 0.7–2 meters in width and height, typically narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, with arched or gabled ceilings. Niches, air vents, and chambers are located along the sides at varying intervals. The chambers vary in size—some can accommodate over ten people, while others only fit 3–5. Some chambers contain earthenware jars holding decomposed grain. Wells are often found at the end of passageways; they are circular and contain clear water, likely serving as drinking water sources. They are now a key cultural heritage site under provincial protection in Hebei Province.

Among the items discovered in the tunnels are coins such as Yuanfeng Tongbao, Chongning Tongbao, and Jianyan Tongbao, as well as objects like bronze kettle-lifters and porcelain bowls, suggesting that the tunnels were built in the late Northern Song Dynasty as a defense against the Jin invaders.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Heritage Sites Protected at the Provincial Level in Hebei Province