Ruins of Wujishan

Ruins of Wujishan

The ruins of Wujishan are a cultural heritage site protected by Liaocheng City.

The ruins of Wujishan are located on the east bank of the canal in the northeast corner of Zhangqiu Town. It is a round earthen mound that was originally 30 meters high but now stands at just over 2 meters, covering an area of about 5 mu. At the southern peak of the hill stands a stone stele inscribed with the three characters “Wu Ji Shan” (Wujishan), erected by the officials who managed the river at the time. The stele is 1.8 meters tall, 0.8 meters wide, and 0.28 meters thick. It is now placed in the southwest corner of the ruins. According to the Zhangqiu Annals: “In the seventh year of the Hongzhi reign (1494 AD), after the river breach was blocked and the river reopened, Tongzhengshi Han Ding built [the mound] atop Longtan and named it Wujishan. It was arranged as three peaks, surrounded by pine and cypress trees. Behind it was a lotus pond, shimmering and lovely. When the eastern part of the town (the town wall) was constructed, the lotus pond ended up outside the city.” Old records listed “the imposing presence of Wujishan” as one of the scenic highlights of Zhangqiu, describing it as: “A central peak rising above Black Dragon Pool, shrouded in solemn pines and cypresses, lush and misty as if in clouds. At its peak stood a pavilion from which one could gaze upon Mount Liangfu and Mount Culai as if they were within reach.” It was said that standing on the pavilion of Wujishan, one could even see Mount Tai and Mount Culai. Due to years of soil extraction by local people, only ruins of Wujishan remain today. Scattered across the site are broken bricks, tiles, stone carvings, stone lions, and remnants of auspicious beasts. A surviving iron ox weighing about 1,000 jin (approximately 500 kg), possibly a flagpole base, is also believed to be a remnant of the original structures on the hill. It is now a municipal-level cultural heritage protection site.

Zhangqiu Town: Zhangqiu Town is located in the eastern part of the county. The name “Zhangqiu” first appeared during the Tang and Five Dynasties periods, and the town was officially established during the Northern Song Dynasty. In 1940, the Anti-Japanese Democratic Government of Zhangqiu County was formed. In 1964, the county was dissolved and the town was retained, going through phases as Zhangqiu District and Zhangqiu People’s Commune. Since 1984, it has been known as Zhangqiu Town.　

Zhangqiu Town is located 20 kilometers east of Yanggu County. To the south, it borders Taiqian County of Henan Province, and to the north, it neighbors Acheng Town. The town covers a total area of 53 square kilometers, with a population of 50,000, including 1,780 people of the Hui ethnic group. The world-famous scenic spot of Wu Song Fighting the Tiger at Jingyanggang is located within its jurisdiction. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs through the town... More details about Zhangqiu Town++