Ruins of the Yuan Dynasty Manor in Nanhu

Ruins of the Yuan Dynasty Manor in Nanhu

The Ruins of the Yuan Dynasty Manor in Nanhu is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ruins of the Yuan Dynasty Manor in Nanhu

The ruins are located in Nanhu Village, Gaobeidian Town (formerly known as Nanhuben Yi, where the imperial Tiger Guards were stationed during ancient times). The entire village and parts of the farmland outside the village sit atop the ruins, which hold a remarkably rich collection of artifacts. Just in terms of ceramics, there are seven kiln mouths, yielding a substantial quantity. Among the southern kilns are: shadow blue (yingqing), Shufu opaque white, Longquan celadon glaze, and Hutian ware. From the northern kilns are Cizhou ware, Ding ware, Jun ware—with Jun ware being the most numerous. There are also rare items such as sky-blue jars, plates, bowls, and small cups. Some display typical kiln transformation effects and red speckles, exhibiting dazzling variety and vivid colors. Within the same cultural layer, a fragment of blue-and-white porcelain was also collected—its body thin and sturdy, the blue pigment slightly blackened with copper rust spots, likely indicating the use of imported cobalt known as 'Sumaliqing'. Collected pottery items include architectural remnants such as broken dragon head ornaments, as well as tile ends and plain tiles featuring coiled dragon patterns.

Additionally, two iron cannons were found here, cylindrical with bamboo-joint-like segments, over one meter in length and weighing around two hundred jin (approximately 100 kg each). There were also iron spearheads, iron chain maces, and similar items. Some elderly villagers can still point out the approximate outline of the ancient city walls, as well as the locations of several ancient wells (commonly called “flower-watering wells”) and the well openings that remain to this day, which are symmetrically arranged.

According to the "Comprehensive Gazetteer" ("Yitongzhi"): “In the third year of the Zhi Zheng era of Emperor Yingzong of the Yuan Dynasty, he stayed in Gaobeidian and granted the estate as a villa to Bai Zhu.” Based on the unearthed artifacts, it is determined that this site is the very “villa” (manor) bestowed upon Bai Zhu by Emperor Yingzong of the Yuan Dynasty.