Site of the Ancient Xinyang City

Site of the Ancient Xinyang City

The site of the ancient Xinyang City is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

The site of the ancient Xinyang City is located 8.5 kilometers north of Wudi County, covering an area of 0.8 square kilometers. It is referred to as "Xincheng" in the Shandong General Gazetteer, and commonly known as "Little Ancheng" or "Resting Ancheng." Legend has it that when Han Xin was marching from Yan to attack Qi, he fought a fierce battle here and lost a boot, causing an uproar among his soldiers. To avenge the loss of the boot, Han Xin ordered the construction of a city in the shape of a boot. It was once one of the eight scenic wonders of Wudi County, known as "Han Ramparts Spiraling." Today, remnants of the city wall can still be seen on the southwest side of the site, with over 50 meters of wall remains, more than 10 meters in height, and visible rammed earth and scattered traces. Artifacts such as the Warring States period "Qi Legal Tender" knife coins, as well as bronze swords, arrowheads, and pottery from the Qin and Han dynasties have been unearthed here. In 1987, a regional cultural relics survey team conducted a comprehensive investigation of the site. Based on the layout of the city structure, construction methods, and sand-mixed pottery fragments found in the city walls, it was determined that the city was built approximately from the late Warring States period to the early Han dynasty. In June 1992, it was announced by the People’s Government of Shandong Province as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.

Source: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publication

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units