Emperor Wu's Terrace

Emperor Wu's Terrace

Emperor Wu's Terrace, also known as Han Wu Terrace or Sea-Viewing Terrace.

Historical records indicate that Emperor Wu's Terrace was constructed by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty during his eastern tour to gaze upon the sea. The "Gazetteer of Geography of the Northern Wei" states: "Zhangwu had Emperor Wu's Terrace," the "Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Capital Region" (Kangxi edition) says: "Emperor Wu's Terrace is located seventy li northeast of Yanshan." The "Yanshan County Annals" (Tongzhi edition) state: "There are two Emperor Wu Terraces; one is untraceable, while the solitary one that still stands proudly is the one in Yanshan." The terrace base is square, with each side measuring 120 meters and a height of 5.6 meters, divisible into five levels, with many plain gray bricks found within the soil. Artifacts collected include red pottery axes, dou handles, rope-patterned fragments of dou bases from the Warring States period, as well as remnants of Han dynasty pottery jars, tiles, and wuzhu coins.

Located by the ancient Yellow River, Emperor Wu's Terrace lies in the border region between the Qi and Yan states during the Warring States period, where the river flowed into the sea. Originally serving as a military watchtower or beacon tower, it was later expanded by Emperor Wu of Han in the second year of the Yuanshou era, 121 BC. It holds significant historical value and is documented in the "Book of Han · Treatise on Sacrifices," the "Gazetteer of Geography" from the Northern Wei of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the "Land Records." Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, stationed troops here during his campaign against Goguryeo, and during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, Minister of Personnel Wang Ao visited the terrace and composed a poem: "A towering terrace built a hundred zhang high, from which one gazes at the sea as if seeing immortals' dwellings. In his later years, he issued edicts of sorrow and regret; all of Luan Da and Wen Cheng’s promises turned out false." A total of four poets from the Ming and Qing dynasties praised Emperor Wu's Terrace in their verses. The "Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Great Qing," "Gazetteer of the Capital Region," "Yanshan County Annals," and "Hejian Prefecture Annals" all contain records about the terrace. Emperor Wu's Terrace also has considerable scientific value. It provides important insights into human activity, warfare, navigation, water conservancy, agriculture, fishing, salt production, and geology in Hebei Province and the eastern coastal areas of Cangzhou since the Warring States and Qin-Han periods, along with several historical relics. It is mentioned in historical documents from the Han Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty.

At the end of 2008, Emperor Wu's Terrace was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage protection unit in Hebei Province. The People's Government of Hebei Province mandated that the protected area of Emperor Wu's Terrace be: an expansion of 30 meters east, 50 meters west, 50 meters south, and 50 meters north from the baseline of the terrace's edge. At the same time, all levels of government departments were urged to strengthen awareness of cultural relic protection, and in accordance with the "Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics" and the "Hebei Province Implementation Measures of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics," further implement the cultural heritage work policy of “protection first, rescue foremost, rational utilization, and strengthened management,” diligently carrying out the protection, management, and utilization of this provincial-level cultural heritage site.

Additional note: Research suggests that the lower foundation of Emperor Wu's Terrace dates back to the Western Han Dynasty, while the upper part was built in later periods. The land to the east of the terrace is a river mouth alluvial fan formed when the Yellow River flowed into the sea during the Western Han period. Therefore, the terrace was originally a seaside structure in the early Han Dynasty. The "Wei Land Records" state: "Seventy li east of Zhangwu County lies Emperor Wu's Terrace, with two terraces to the north and south, sixty li apart, said to have been built by Emperor Wu of Han during his eastern sea inspection." The "Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Great Qing" identifies this as the northern terrace, with the northern terrace located at present-day Shajingzi Village (now Dagang, Tianjin), which has been leveled to the ground.