Yangyuan Xicheng and Dongcheng

Yangyuan Xicheng and Dongcheng

Yangyuan's Dongcheng and Xicheng, historically known as the eastern and western cities of Shunshengchuan, share similar city layouts and specifications. They are only about 60 li apart, like twin brothers, both located in the central-western part of Yangyuan County on the north bank of the Sanggan River.

Xicheng

During the Han Dynasty, it was part of Yangyuan County under Dai Commandery; during the Northern Wei, Changning County was established; during the Northern Qi, the Qide and Changning commanderies were set up; in the Tang Dynasty, during the Kaiyuan era, Hengye Army was established.

During the Liao Dynasty’s Tonghe era (983–1012), Hongzhou was established under Datong Prefecture of the Western Capital Circuit (in present-day Nanguan of Xicheng), governing two counties: Shunsheng (centered at present-day Jiudongcheng) and Yongning (centered at present-day Nanguan of Xicheng). Hence, Yangyuan was also called Hongzhou (after the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, to avoid the naming taboo of his personal name “Hongli,” it was changed to Hongzhou, then later written as Hongzhou).

During the Jin Dynasty, it belonged to the Western Capital Circuit, still under Hongzhou, governing Shunsheng and Xiangyin (formerly Yongning, renamed in the seventh year of Daguan, i.e., 1167 AD, centered at present-day Nanguan of Xicheng) counties.

In the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of Xiangyin County, Hongzhou, Datong Road, under the Zhongshu Province.

In the Ming Dynasty, it was part of the left guard of Xuafu Town (centered at present-day Xuanhua), under Jingshi (centered at Shuntian Prefecture, present-day Beijing). The city was abandoned during the Hongwu era. In the 15th year of the Yongle era (1417), it became the site of Bao’an Right Guard; in the 17th year of Yongle (1419), the guard moved to Xishacheng. In the 4th year of the Tianshun era (1460), Yang Neng, the Marquis of Wuqiang, petitioned to rebuild Xicheng and simultaneously construct Dongcheng. In the 20th year of Chenghua (1484), a Divisional Defender was stationed at Xicheng. Both the eastern and western cities were placed under the Southern Road, subordinate to Wanquan Du Weizhi Si (centered at present-day Xuanhua).

In the 32nd year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1693), Xicheng of Shunshengchuan was reorganized into Xining County, incorporating Dongcheng. The county seat was at present-day Xicheng, under Xuanhua Prefecture.

In the Republican period, it belonged to Zhili Koubei Dao (centered at present-day Xuanhua). In the 2nd year of the Republic (1913), to avoid confusion with Xining Fu in Gansu, it was renamed Yangyuan County, with the county seat at present-day Xicheng.

Yangyuan Xicheng was built in the 4th year of the Tianshun era. In the 24th year of the Jiajing era (1546), Defender Yang Yue renovated it, and in the 2nd year of the Wanli era (1574), it was bricked. The city wall was 4 li and 52 steps in circumference, 2 zhang and 5 chi high, with 14 watch stations and originally three city gates: the eastern gate called Dingyuan, the western gate called Zhenyuan, and the southern gate called Chaoyang, all equipped with gate towers and moon walls. The northern part also featured Zhenxuo Tower. In the 21st year of Chenghua, the northern gate was pierced and Beiguan was constructed, with the gate city spanning 2 li and 80 steps. Xicheng was shaped like a reclining ox, hence nicknamed Hongzhou Reclining Ox City. The eastern gate tower enshrined Wenchang, the southern gate tower enshrined Zhurong, the western gate tower enshrined Wucheng, and the northern gate tower enshrined Haotian. On the southern gate tower once stood an earless bell that rang every morning, its sound echoing through the suburbs, thus giving rise to the saying “Morning Bell of the Southern Tower” as one of Xicheng’s twelve scenic spots. The county annals recorded: “(Yangyuan Xicheng) lies against the plateau to the north, blocked by Shagou to the east, encircled by water to the west, and bordered by Nihewan to the south. Not only is it located in a strategically advantageous area, but it is also fortified with multiple gates and barriers. Its nickname ‘Reclining Ox’ is no exaggeration...” This shows how important its location was.

During the Ming Dynasty, forces of the Northern Yuan frequently harassed Ming territory. Yangyuan’s Xicheng and Dongcheng were also occasionally raided by Mongol troops invading via Yehuling through Wanquan, or through Zhangjiakou. The Ming government once stationed a Southern Road Defender at Xicheng. In the early years of the Qing Shunzhi era, the Ming system was continued, and a defender and a battalion commander were stationed at the central army of Xicheng. In the 10th year of Shunzhi (1653), the Defender was changed to the Yu Prefecture Route, and only a city defender and battalion commander remained at Xicheng. In the 32nd year of Kangxi (1693), when Xicheng was reorganized into Xining County, the battalion commander was abolished, leaving only the defender.

Dongcheng

“Facing the great river to the south, backed by a lofty ridge to the north, with vast plains—it was a pasture during the Yuan Dynasty” (from *Dushi Fangyu Jiyao*). During the Liao Dynasty, Hongzhou was established under Datong Prefecture of the Western Capital Circuit (centered at present-day Nanguan of Xicheng), with Yongning and Shunsheng counties. The seat of Shunsheng County was at the old Dongcheng, and this area thus came to be known as Shunshengchuan.

The present-day Dongcheng was built in the 4th year of the Tianshun era of the Ming Dynasty (1460). About 10 li east of Dongcheng lies the site of the Shunsheng County seat from the Liao Dynasty—that is, the old Dongcheng.