Ancient City Site of Zhangguandian

Ancient City Site of Zhangguandian

The Ancient City Site of Zhangguandian is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

The Ancient City Site of Zhangguandian is located in Wangmiao Town, Pingyuan County, dating back to the Qin Dynasty through the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

The ancient city site of Pingyuan, located in what is now Zhangguandian about twenty-five li south of present-day Pingyuan City, was originally a highland within the Yellow River alluvial plain. Due to surface changes, it has since become a relatively low-lying area. This place was also a “land of marshes,” where nine natural and artificial rivers—including the Majia, Duma, Gengjin, and Honggou—converged.

As early as ancient times, tribal clans such as the “Luzhongshi” and “Youqiongshi” coexisted here. During the Neolithic Age around four thousand years BC, the use of Neolithic tools, according to archaeologists, was introduced to the northern bank of the lower Yellow River between 4200 and 3700 BC. Judging from the “stone sickles” discovered near Zhangguandian, there were people farming and hunting in this area around 3800 BC. Ancient texts record that during the Xia Dynasty (21st to 16th century BC), two important tribes—the “Youqiongshi” and “Yougeshi”—lived near present-day Pingyuan. According to identification by archaeology experts from Shandong Province, based on ancient relics such as “pottery shards” found near Zhangguandian, the ancient city of Pingyuan is undoubtedly an early Shang Dynasty site (16th century BC).

In 685 BC, after Duke Huan of Qi appointed Guan Zhong as his prime minister, Guan Zhong boldly implemented sweeping reforms across Qi (at that time, Pingyuan was under Qi’s jurisdiction). Historical records state: “Guan Zhong first reorganized the governance of the capital (the central city) and the rural areas (the outskirts). Guided by the principle of ‘settling the people properly’ and ‘not letting them live in mixed communities,’ he divided the capital into twenty-one townships, while implementing a hierarchical system in the rural areas consisting of settlements, companies, townships, and counties (three townships formed one county).” Other historical sources note: “In the 19th year of Duke Xiang of Qi (679 BC), Fengshawei (a former Qi general) fled to Gaotang. The historian Jing Xiangfan said it was Pingyuan.” This confirms that the ancient city of Pingyuan was one of the sites of ancient counties or commanderies.

It is truly difficult to confirm exactly when the city of the ancient Pingyuan was built. However, in 284 BC, when the states of Yan and Zhao attacked Qi and captured more than seventy cities, the term “city” was mentioned. According to old county annals, “Wo,” who was enfeoffed as the King of Pingyuan, once built a three-li inner city and a seven-li outer wall for defense. If calculated based on Emperor Wu of Han’s enfeoffment of “Wo,” the brother of King Xuan, it would be around 130 BC, which aligns closely with the city mentioned during the time of the Yan and Zhao attack on Qi. Some believe “Wo” refers to Sima Wo, whose enfeoffment as king likely occurred around the 3rd century AD (260 AD) during the Jin Dynasty, nearly five hundred years apart from the city mentioned in earlier times—this makes a match quite unlikely. Exactly when the city was built remains a topic for further research.

Based on the surviving remnants of the site, it is inferred that the structure was built using rammed yellow clay. Legend says it consisted of an inner and outer city, with an overall shape longer from east to west and shorter from north to south, not forming a perfect square or circle. The original city walls were seven chi high and three zhang wide. However, no traces or legends remain regarding the streets and alleys inside the city, nor the residences of nobles or local governors.

On June 23, 2015, the Ancient City Site of Zhangguandian was announced by the People's Government of Shandong Province as part of the fifth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units in Shandong.

Wangmiao Town: Located in the southernmost part of Pingyuan County, Wangmiao Town borders Yucheng and Gaotang to the east and south. It governs 94 administrative villages, with a population of 35,000 and a total area of 117 square kilometers. The town has a long history and has been home to many notable individuals; it was the birthplace of the Boxer Rebellion movement during the late Qing Dynasty. The Honggou River and Zhaowang River originate here, providing favorable conditions for agricultural production, yielding 40,000 tons of grain and 3,000 tons of cotton annually. In line with efforts to build a well-off society and beautiful rural villages, the town has vigorously developed forestry. From last winter to this spring, 910,000 trees were planted, covering 110 kilometers of greenways, afforesting 20,000 mu of farmland shelterbelts, and planting 60,000 trees around villages... More details about Wangmiao Town++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Shandong Province