Luchenggang City Site

Luchenggang City Site

The Luchenggang City Site is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

The Luchenggang site is a relic of an ancient city from the Western Zhou Dynasty, located in Xingtai City. In May 2013, it was announced by the State Council as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. On May 3, 2013, the National Cultural Heritage Administration released the list of the seventh batch of such sites.

Historical records suggest that the State of Xing undertook three major city constructions: "(King Zu Yi of Shang) moved the capital to Xing"; "King Cheng of Zhou enfeoffed the son of the Duke of Zhou in Xing, establishing the State of Xing"; and "during the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Huan of Qi assisted in building Yiyi City (traditionally believed to be around Jiangshui) for Xing." The current old city of Xingtai is believed to have been built during the Han Dynasty.

Current Condition

This site is undoubtedly an ancient city ruin. The rammed layers and pits within the city walls are very clear. Though the walls have been damaged, the western and southern sections still stand about 6 meters above the ground, making the outline of the ancient city easily visible from afar. The rammed earth of the walls is very pure. This city was likely built quite early, possibly during the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Cultural Value

Mr. Shi Yongshi, head of the expert panel at the Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Institute, also preliminarily believes that the ruins of the ancient city are quite evident. Based on the scale of the city walls, the foundation, the rammed layers, the pits, as well as unearthed pottery shards and tile ends, it is judged that this wall may have been built earlier than the Spring and Autumn period, and is likely related to the capital of the State of Xing. If further archaeological work confirms this judgment, it would play a crucial role in the study of the civilizations of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. "Xingtai holds a very important position in China’s archaeological circles and is a sensitive area in the national project to establish the chronology of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties," said Duan Hongzhen, an expert from the Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, after inspecting the site. "The ancient city walls at Luchenggang are clearly exposed as rammed earth structures above the ground, belonging to early ancient city wall ruins, but their exact age is currently unclear. No definitive conclusion can be made without archaeological investigation and research. If confirmed, it could resolve academic debates that have lasted for many years. Its significance is substantial and its impact far-reaching."

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

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