Phoenix Ancient City Tower

Phoenix Ancient City Tower

The Phoenix Ancient City Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The ancient city of Phoenix had an earthen wall as early as the Yuan and Ming dynasties, when this area was the seat of the Wuzhai Tusi Office, and the current North Gate Tower was originally built during the Ming Dynasty. During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, the Phoenix Direct-Controlled Prefecture was established, with the prefectural judge, military commander, and the office of the Chenyuan Yongjing Military Defense Circuit all stationed here. In the 35th year of Jiajing (1556), the original earthen wall was rebuilt into a brick wall. By the Qing Dynasty, the military significance of the ancient city became increasingly prominent, and the city walls were further reinforced. In the 54th year of Kangxi (1715), the original brick wall was reconstructed into a stone wall, which stretched over two kilometers in circumference and featured four grand gates, each with an imposing tower. The east gate was called “Shengheng Gate,” the south gate “Jinglan Gate,” the west gate “Zhuocheng Gate,” and the north gate “Bihui Gate.” The North Gate Tower and the East Gate Tower were connected by the city wall, fronting the clear Tuojiang River. Serving both military defense and flood prevention functions, they formed a solid barrier for the ancient city.

Unfortunately, in 1940, Xue Yue, Commander-in-Chief of the Nationalist Ninth War Zone and Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Government, ordered the demolition of all city walls on the grounds that “once the fortress falls into enemy hands, it is difficult to reclaim, and it hinders air raid evacuation.” However, due to flood control needs, only the crenellations and watchtowers of the East and North Gates were dismantled, while all other gates were completely removed. Today, only the East and North Gates and the remaining half of the connecting city wall can still be seen.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province