Shangjin Ancient Town

Shangjin Ancient Town

Shangjin Ancient Town is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Also known as Liuzhou Town, Shangjin Ancient Town is located in Shangjin Town, about 70 kilometers northwest of Yunxi County, and is a Ming Dynasty site. According to historical documents and archaeological analysis, the town was built between the second and third years of the Jiajing reign in the Ming Dynasty (1523–1524) and was renovated in the seventh year of the Jiaqing reign in the Qing Dynasty (1802). The city walls are largely intact today, and most of the buildings within the town retain their original appearance.

The Shangjin Ancient Town Scenic Area is situated on the border of northwestern Hubei, adjacent to Manchuan Town in Shaanxi Province. It borders the Jianghan River Basin to the south and leans against the Qinling Mountains to the north. The ancient town is located on the eastern bank of the Qianjin River, a tributary of the Han River, and has long been known as a place of “morning in Qin, evening in Chu,” historically serving as a key hub for transportation, politics, culture, commerce, and military affairs. Its geographical coordinates are 32°8'11" N and 110°21'11" E, with a perimeter of 1,236 meters and an area of approximately 80,000 square meters. The city walls are about 7 meters high, trapezoidal in shape, and built from blue bricks. There are five city gates, each over 3 meters high, with stairways on the right side leading to the watchtowers. Outside the city lies a moat, 35 meters wide and 6 meters deep. A main north-south street runs slightly west of the central axis of the town, connecting the north and south gates. It is 287 meters long and 3 meters wide. From the west gate to the main street lies a smaller street, 60 meters in length, with bluestone slabs paving the center and cobblestone paths along the sides. The street is equipped with drainage channels along the eaves. Most buildings are of brick-and-wood structure, featuring raised ridges, ornamental roof edges, carved beams, painted rafters, and multiple courtyards. The ancient town area stretches 400 meters from north to south and about 300 meters from east to west, covering an urban area of approximately 3.5 square kilometers. The Shangjin Ancient Town tourism zone is distributed throughout the town, spanning a total area of about 226.5 square kilometers.

The town was initially built in the early Hongwu years of the Ming Dynasty and comprehensively restored in the seventh year of the Jiaqing reign. It is currently the only well-preserved county-level ancient town in Hubei Province. In 1993, it was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site by the provincial government. The ancient town is an irregular rectangle, over 1,000 meters long from east to west and 306 meters wide from north to south. The city wall has a perimeter of 1,236 meters, with walls that are narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, forming a trapezoid with an average height of 6.8 meters. There are five gates: Tongyun (Connecting Yun) in the east, Jieqin (Connecting Qin) in the north, Dachu (Reaching Chu) in the south, Tonghan (Connecting Han) in the west, and a convenience gate in the southwest. The name “Shangjin” has a long history, first appearing in Li Daoyuan’s Commentary on the Water Classic, which records: “The Fengxiang River flows southwest, merges with the Guanchen River, and then flows south into Shangjin.” Folklore interprets it as either “the Emperor’s Ferry” or “the Supreme Ferry.” Water transport was highly convenient, connecting the south to Chu and the north to Qin, making it a vital route between Wuhan and Xi’an. Southern merchant caravans had to disembark here, while northern horse caravans had to board boats to head east, resulting in a bustling hub of boats and trade in ancient times. Occupying a strategic location between Qin and Chu and blessed with convenient water transport, Shangjin brought prosperity and happiness to its industrious people but also endured immense suffering. Historically, Shangjin has always been a strategic “high ground” contested by warring factions and a battleground for power struggles between new and old regimes. One could say Shangjin’s history of prosperity is essentially a history of bloody warfare. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the Jurchens invaded Shangjin repeatedly, and Song forces recaptured it multiple times. In the fourth year of the Shaoxing era, Yue Fei’s general Wang Yan reclaimed Shangjin, after which the Jin commander Wushu sought peace, setting the upper reaches of the Qianjin River and Huling Pass as the border. However, in the thirteenth year of Shaoxing, the Jin side tore up the agreement and re-invaded Shangjin, only for Song general Wu Tiansi to reclaim it again. In the Yuan Dynasty, Mongol general Amu led 200,000 troops in repeated invasions of Shangjin, abducting tens of thousands of people. In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang sent General Deng Yu to reclaim Shangjin during the Western Expedition. Later, in the seventh year of the Chongzhen reign, rebel leader Zhang Xianzhong occupied Shangjin, prompting Ming general Xiong Wencan to fight for control. This back-and-forth struggle continued unabated until Shangjin’s liberation in 1947. Even then, remnants of the Kuomintang’s “E’bao Fourth Regiment,” stationed northwest of Shangjin, repeatedly attacked the town. Through the blood-soaked chaos of relentless warfare, the resilient and courageous people of Shangjin, despite enduring countless blows, not only refused to yield but instead created a splendid ancient civilization through perseverance, ingenuity, and hard work. They composed heroic ballads of tragic grandeur and awe-inspiring spirit. Shangjin Ancient Town is located south of the town center and boasts a long history. The term “Shangjin” first appeared in the Commentary on the Water Classic, penned by the great geographer Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty during the Taihe era—“The Fengxiang River flows southwest, merges with the Guanchen River, and then flows south into Shangjin.” Thus, from its inception, Shangjin Ancient Town has been intertwined with this uniquely positioned land, absorbing its distinct blend of joys, sorrows, glory, and hardship. Since the establishment of Pingyang County at the end of the Wei Dynasty in 262 AD, Shangjin Ancient Town has remained the center of the region. For seventeen hundred years, Shangjin has undergone various administrative changes, from county to prefecture. Starting in the Southern Song Dynasty (208 AD), intense warfare erupted in the Shangguan area, and Shangjin became a key military stronghold on the Hubei-Shaanxi border. It wasn’t until 1368 in the Ming Dynasty that Shangjin was incorporated into Yunxi. Historically, Shangjin has been established as a county 14 times, a prefecture 6 times, and a commandery twice. In every phase of its history, Shangjin Ancient Town has played an irreplaceable role. Before the third year of the Jingyuan era in the Wei Dynasty, Cao Wei’s military controlled the upper reaches of the Han River, and Cao Cao established Shangjin Ancient Town as a strategic stronghold guarding the Central Plains. Kublai Khan also used the ancient town as a rear supply base during his campaign against Wuchang. Historical figures such as Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, and Lü Dongbin have all left their marks here, enriching the area with vibrant Chu cultural heritage.

Frequent wars and dynastic changes also caused constant shifts in Shangjin’s regional prosperity and political allegiance—changes so frequent and dramatic that they are truly rare. Initially part of the Shang Kingdom, Shangjin belonged to the Jin State during the Spring and Autumn period, the Qin State in the Warring States period, and the Western Wei during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, when Shangjin County was first established. The earliest verifiable historical record dates to the end of the Wei Dynasty in 262 AD, when Cao Wei’s military controlled the upper Han River. To consolidate local governance, Pingyang County was established—over 1,700 years ago. In 280 AD, during the first year of the Taikang reign of Western Jin’s Emperor Wu, Pingyang County was renamed Jinxing County. In 554 AD (corrected from erroneous original year), Shangjin was restructured from a county into a commandery. In 1161 AD, it was downgraded from a commandery back to a county. In 1264 AD, under the reign of Kublai Khan, Shangjin was further reduced from a county to a fort due to warfare. In 1368 AD, the first year of the Ming Dynasty, it was reinstated as a county and commandery. Thereafter, with ongoing warfare and changes in ruling powers, Shangjin’s local administration frequently shifted, but it remained a unit above the county level until 1659 AD, when it was downgraded to a fort and incorporated into Yunxi County during the Qing Dynasty’s Shunzhi reign. Upon the liberation of Shangjin in 1947, Shanguan County was re-established. In May 1949, after the liberation of Wuhan and Xi’an, Shanguan County was merged into Yunxi County, remaining under the jurisdiction of Yunxi Prefecture, Hubei Province, to this day. Historical records document two instances of the area being designated a state, six as a commandery, and fourteen as a county.

Shangjin boasts an abundance of historical relics, but due to warfare and floods, the surviving ones mainly fall into four categories: First, temples: including the reconstructed Yangsi Temple, Yuanzhen Temple, and the ruins of Chenghuang Temple. Second, guildhalls: over ten sites such as the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guildhall (South Guildhall), North Guildhall, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (well-preserved), Wuchang Guildhall, and Henan Guildhall. Third, public welfare structures: including the ancient city walls, traditional theater stage, and ancient entertainment street (all well-preserved). Fourth, residential buildings: primarily Ming and Qing dynasty courtyard homes (many still intact), among which the ancient town, north and south guildhalls, traditional theater stage, and Ming-Qing ancient architectural complexes (including the ancient streets and courtyard houses) are of the greatest value.

The pre-Ming ancient city site of Shangjin was located on the eastern bank of the Qianjin River, approximately 200 meters south of the current ancient town, near the entrance of the Da-Xiao Tieli Gully. Due to prolonged warfare, population decline, and devastating floods, it was destroyed by the end of the Yuan Dynasty. In the first year of the Yongle reign in the Ming Dynasty (1403 AD), “a earthen town was built 200 steps north of the original ancient town site.” By the Zhengde era, the earthen walls were nearly completely collapsed, and the county magistrate Zeng Huai reported to higher authorities proposing the construction of a new town. Subsequently, based on the existing walls, “low areas were heightened, narrow sections widened, foundations reinforced with stone, walls built with brick, and a moat added. The walls extended over 2,500 steps, stood two zhang tall, featured battlements at the corners, and included five gates—each with its own tower. The east gate was called Tongyu, the north Jieqin, the south Dachu, the west Tonghan, and a fifth gate was added in the southwest for civilian convenience.” The project was completed in the autumn of 1524 AD. In the late Ming Dynasty, parts of the walls were destroyed in warfare. In the seventh year of the Shunzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty, magistrate Gu Laichu resumed construction, “repairing one-third of the old walls.” In the seventh year of the Jiaqing reign, another comprehensive restoration took place. To this day, each blue brick of the walls bears inscriptions such as “Jiaqing Seven-Year Public Restoration of Shangjin,” commemorating the event. The ancient town is 1,007 meters long from east to west, 306 meters wide from north to south, and covers an area of 80,000 square meters, resembling the shape of a boot. The walls have a perimeter of 1,236.6 meters, are 6.8 meters high, with a base thickness of 6.12 meters. The lower part is built from blue stone cement, while the upper section is made of blue bricks. The top of the walls features crenellations (most of which were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, with only a dozen or so remaining in the southeast). Watchtowers were built at the corners of the walls (now gone). A moat, 4 meters wide and 2 meters deep (now silted up), encircled the town, lined with willow trees—hence the name “Liuzhou Town.” The town is situated along the Qianjin River. In the past, residents had to descend a hundred steps from the city gate to see the masts of moored boats. Later, due to the riverbed rising and water levels exceeding the moat, the town was flooded by 1.5 meters in 1964, destroying the willows. To protect the town, the government constructed the Hongwei Dyke, 4 meters high and 5 meters wide, creating 400 acres of land in the process. Since then, the ancient town has been free from flood threats. Currently, aside from the destroyed watchtowers and walls, the ancient town remains largely intact, retaining its simple and robust charm. Beyond its immense archaeological, historical, educational, and aesthetic value, it also holds significant architectural and engineering reference worth, serving as an exceptional living textbook. As a historical witness, the ancient town narrates the trials of history while showcasing the remarkable architectural artistry of ancient Shangjin. It stands as both a symbol of ancient Shangjin’s civilization and a testament to its former prosperity. Recognized for its unique value, it was designated as a Historic and Cultural City and a first batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by Yunxi County Government in December 1985. In 1993, it was further recognized as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the provincial government. In recent years, the town government has adhered to principles of balanced development and preservation. In 1992, the north gate of the ancient town was restored to its near-original state, attracting numerous domestic and international tourists for visits and archaeological exploration each year.

The Ming-Qing ancient architectural complex is primarily located within the ancient town and just outside the north gate. It centers around the Ming-Qing ancient street and its surrounding historic buildings, supplemented by Ming-Qing courtyard homes, forming a grand and well-preserved architectural ensemble. The ancient street stretches approximately 1.5 kilometers, with bluestone-paved roads 3 meters wide. The buildings on both sides feature black tiles on blue bricks, flying eaves, upturned rafters, carved beams, and painted rafters. Their simple yet majestic style is symmetrical, harmoniously varied in height, and thoughtfully arranged. Individual courtyard homes consist of multiple sections, often featuring a central courtyard surrounded by smaller rooms. Windows are carved and positioned to overlook the courtyard, exuding an antique charm with a unique style. Typically, three or four households share one courtyard, and two or three courtyards form a clan. Neighbors live together in harmony, like one big family, earning the saying “a thousand-li Hu tunnel child, only three or four families in a courtyard.”

The South and North Guildhalls: The South Guildhall, also known as the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guildhall or Shaanxi Guildhall, is located about 250 meters up the hillside northeast of the ancient town. It is a standalone compound with blue bricks, black tiles, undulating wave-like roofs, flying eaves, painted beams, and upturned gable walls. Its rustic yet refined, detailed yet understated style is unique. The lintel and wall bricks are engraved with the words “Shanxi-Shaanxi Guildhall” in bold, elegant, and graceful calligraphy. Inside, there is a small courtyard divided into four wings—east, west, south, and north—each with six or seven rooms. Each room has a different structure and purpose, offering complete functionality as a multifunctional inn and waystation for lodging, dining, recreation, and storage. The North Guildhall is located about 10 kilometers north of the South Guildhall, facing it from afar. Like the South Guildhall, it is a standalone building with a similar overall structure, layout, and function, though with subtle stylistic differences. The South Guildhall has gently sloping, smooth, and rounded roof ridges, while the North Guildhall’s are steeper and sharper. In terms of beam and column carvings, the South Guildhall is bold and natural, whereas the North Guildhall is delicate and refined—exemplifying the contrast between northern and southern architectural styles.

The North and South Guildhalls are the only two completely preserved among the many guildhalls once stationed in Shangjin, such as the Wuchang Guildhall and Henan Guildhall. They are also the best-preserved ancient guildhalls in Shiyan and even Hubei Province. They represent not only the product of exquisite ancient architectural art and practical, durable design concepts but also the fusion of northern and southern cultures. They serve as invaluable physical materials for studying the integration of ancient northern and southern cultures, as well as a “living treasure trove” for researching ancient building techniques and styles.

The Traditional Theater Stage: This is a multi-tiered, sharply roofed ancient theater with a strong sense of depth and layering. The stage is symmetrically designed from north to south, with eaves of varying heights, sizes, and depths. The interior uses wooden columns and beams, while the exterior is enclosed with blue bricks. The walls and stage blend harmoniously, forming a beautiful picture of black-tiled roofs, colorful pillars, painted beams, and upturned eaves. Its architectural craftsmanship, layout, and design demonstrate superb artistry. It serves not only as a rare teaching model for contemporary architecture but also as an exquisitely valuable and grand handicraft. It is said that during major festivals, celebrations, or ceremonial events, theater troupes from both Qin and Chu regions would perform here on the same stage. Southern performers sang Qinqiang opera, while northern ones staged Chu drama, competing in skill and vying for audiences—a lively scene that gave rise to the folk term “rival stage performances.”

The Catholic Church: Commonly referred to as the Catholic Cathedral, it is centrally located within the ancient town, on the west side of the ancient street, nestled among residential courtyard homes. Covering an area of over 500 square meters, it was built in the late Qing Dynasty. The church blends Western architectural art with Eastern cultural elements. The main structure, shaded by green trees, features a pointed dome, blue brick walls, and unevenly stacked rooftops. Four corner bell towers rise high, emitting clear and melodious chimes. The duplex interior includes a chapel where devout worshippers gather every Sunday for prayers, creating a rich spiritual atmosphere. The surrounding courtyard is complemented by traditional Chinese-style homes, adding a distinctive fusion of East and West.

Folklore Stories: Shangjin’s long history has given rise to numerous folktales, primarily revolving around war legends and myths—reflecting the people’s longing for peace.

War legends are the mainstream of Shangjin’s folklore, rich in content, intricate in structure, and novel in conception. Spanning from ancient Shang Dynasty battles to modern liberation wars, these tales—especially those from the Tang-Song periods to modern times—are exceptionally captivating. Examples include Yuan Shizu stockpiling grain in Shangjin, Zhu Yuanzhang losing territory over a chess match, Li Zicheng outmaneuvering Ming troops, the Yang Family Generals defending three passes, Lady Yang fighting a desperate battle at Sanchuan Pass, women-led rebellions, and Wang Cong’er’s defeat at Siyu River. These stories are not only thrilling and moving but also hold high historical research value.

Mythical legends are another hallmark of Shangjin’s folklore, notable for their vast quantity, broad scope, rich content, and long history. Tales such as the Gold Transport on the Qianjin River, Lady Yang’s clever slaying of the Iron Arhat, the Legend of Siyu River, and the Story of the Elders’ Cave are widely loved, enduring through generations. They form the mainstream of folk moral education—an unspoken civic morality textbook.

Folk Drama: Shangjin’s folk dramas are renowned throughout the county, featuring a wide variety of genres and forms, mainly themed around celebration and ritual. Celebratory types include lively flower boat dances, flower boat tunes, Gaoyao dances, and traditional operas. Ritual types mainly involve dragon lanterns, lion dances, and solemn, mystical ritual stage plays. In ancient times, rituals were held for events such as the New Year’s maiden voyage, launching new boats, or fleet departures—frequent and grander than holiday celebrations. Although many temples have been lost, the culture of ritual and celebration has been largely preserved and inherited, becoming a unique highlight of Shangjin.

Folk Literature: Though few formal literary works by literati remain in Shangjin due to warfare, folk literature thrives and is widely circulated. It often depicts Shangjin’s stunning natural landscapes—essentially one scenic view, one poem, one tale. Among these, the Eight Ancient Scenic Spots of Liuzhou are especially prominent. Scenes like the Long Dyke Willow Waves, Wuyu Green Curtains, Iron Hoop Cloud Peaks, Three Mountains Layered in Emerald, White Cliff Cloud Bridge, Heavenly Bridge Ancient Cave, Crane Soaring to the Heavens, and Songshan Overlooking the Valley are all poetic in name alone. A famous poem by Qing Dynasty poet Wang Lin, “On the verdant dyke, willows sway, / Fluttering as if spring arrives on their own. / Their sleep-like grace beckons divine spirits. / Calm waves split duckweed shadows, / Ruffled swells rise like fish scales. / Should you cross the river, / surely the charm will enchant.” vividly portrays the beauty of the Long Dyke Willow Waves.

Attraction Location

Shangjin Ancient Town, Yunxi County, Shiyan City, Hubei Province

Shangjin Town: The name “Shangjin” has a long history. Originally the land of the Shang Kingdom, it belonged to the Jin State in the Spring and Autumn period, the Qin State in the Warring States period, and Shangjin County was established during the Western Wei of the Northern and Southern Dynasties—938 years before Yunxi County. Historically, it was established as a county 14 times, a prefecture 6 times, and a state 2 times, highlighting its role as a strategic Qin-Chu corridor, political center, and military stronghold.

　 Shangjin Ancient Town is well-preserved. Built in the first year of the Yongle reign in the Ming Dynasty (1403 AD), it has a perimeter of 1,236.6 meters, is 6.8 meters high, has five gates, and covers an area of 80,000 square meters. The city wall foundation is 6.12 meters thick, making it the best-preserved ancient town in Hubei Province. It is listed as a Major Cultural Relics Protection Unit... More details on Shangjin Town++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level