Zhangjiakou Fort

Zhangjiakou Fort

Zhangjiakou Fort is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Commonly known as Buzili, Zhangjiakou Fort is located in the central part of Qiaoxi District, Zhangjiakou City. It is the “origin point” and “root” of the urban area of Zhangjiakou, serving as a historical witness to the growth and prosperity of the region over nearly 600 years of historical change.

According to historical records, Zhangjiakou Fort was first built in the fourth year of the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty (1429), and has a history of nearly 600 years. It was an important military garrison fortress on the Great Wall defense line, renowned as the “Martial City” and dominating the northern frontier. As the “Northern Silk Road” — the Zhangjiakou-Khorgas Trade Route — flourished, the military function of Zhangjiakou Fort gradually gave way to commercial trade. At its peak, the fort housed over 1,600 banking houses and merchant firms, with the highest annual trade volume reaching 150 million taels of silver. Today, there are more than 700 cultural relics and historic sites preserved within Zhangjiakou Fort, including 93 highly valuable key courtyards. It is one of the best-preserved Ming and Qing architectural forts among major cities in China, often referred to as a “Museum of Ming and Qing Architecture.” Despite its significant historical and cultural value, Zhangjiakou Fort remained relatively unknown until 2008, when it was designated as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Hebei Province.

In early May 2013, the National Cultural Heritage Administration announced the “Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units,” with “Zhangjiakou Fort” included. It was successfully upgraded from a “Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Hebei Province” to a “National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.”

In recent years, Qiaoxi District of Zhangjiakou has renovated eight streets, including Gulou East-West Street, North-South Street, and Madao Di Street. It has also restored key scenic areas and courtyards such as the Wenchang Pavilion, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Luncai Academy, Temple of the God of Wealth, Kangxi Tea House, and General Ding’s Mansion, while constructing new tourism facilities such as a large parking lot and a visitor service center.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units of Hebei Province

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units