Ziyang Dyke

Ziyang Dyke

Ziyang Dyke is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Ziyang Dyke

Located on the shore of Poyang Lake, south of Xingzi County in Jiangxi Province. As it faces Luoxing Stone directly, it is also known as the "Nankang Xingwan Stone Dyke." Originally built during the Yuanguan era of the Northern Song Dynasty, Prefect Wu Shenli constructed wooden barriers here because the county seat was situated by the lake, where the wind and waves were perilous, leaving passing boats with no place to dock. However, the rudimentary structure lasted only a little over ten years before it was abandoned. During the Chongning era, Prefect Sun Qiaonian petitioned to rebuild the dyke using stone. Stretching over 500 meters, the new dyke included two dredged docking areas inside, commonly referred to as the “inner bay,” which could accommodate a thousand small boats. Over time, however, it gradually fell into disrepair. In the sixth year of the Chunxi era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1179), Zhu Xi, who was serving as the Prefect of Nankang Military District, undertook major restoration efforts. Zhu Xi, a philosopher and educator of the Southern Song Dynasty and a master synthesizer of Neo-Confucianism, was born in 1130 and died in 1200. His courtesy names were Yuanhui and Zhonghui, and his pseudonyms included Huian, Kaoting, and Ziyang. Upon taking office, he found the old dyke neglected for years—beaten by waves, with rotting wood and eroded earth, while the inner bay was clogged with silt. He raised one million coins and five hundred hu of grain, and construction began in the seventh year of Chunxi (1180). Zhu Xi “personally supervised the work at times, laboring diligently and showing great care for the workers.” A total of 17,200 laborers were employed. The old dyke was heightened by three feet, reinforced with earth and stone, and the silt in the bay was dredged. Wooden stakes were driven along the outer side of the bay for protection, and sturdy sluice gates were installed. Additionally, a pool was created inside the sluice to channel spring water in case of drought. From afar, the structure resembled a fortress standing by Poyang Lake, bringing joy to the people of the three surrounding districts. Today, this historic site remains well-preserved. Both the inner and outer dykes are solidly fortified, with their layered granite foundations still intact. Ancient sluice gates can still be faintly seen, and stone steps lead down to the base of the gates, connected by a stone bridge. The bridge has openings underneath to allow fishing boats to pass through. This remarkable feat represents a great achievement in ancient Chinese hydraulic engineering. It has also become an exceptionally scenic spot in the county, especially enchanting on clear moonlit nights. Qing Dynasty poet Cao Longshu wrote in his poem “Moonlight over Ziyang Dyke”: *The laurel blooms of the Moon Palace fall upon the river town,* *The flat dyke by the river is named Ziyang.* *The moon imprints its reflection on the heart of the waves, pearls rolling,* *Waves lift moonlight, polished like a mirror’s gleam.* *Layered sandy mounds rise like snowy peaks,* *Vast billows spread frost across both shores.* *This night of poetic wandering feels endless,* *Why speak of Yangzhou’s famed two-fold radiance?*

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units