Bijia City

Bijia City

Bijia City is located on Mayang Street in the western section of the city embankment, between the West Gate Wharf and the Upper South Gate Wharf. It faces the Dasha River in front, connects to the Shigui below, and sits behind the Confucius Temple and Dingwen Pavilion. Five piers stand side by side, with the central one being the tallest, resembling a penholder and symbolizing the flourishing of literary fortune and the rise of scholars. Bijia City is unique to Wuling City and has never been demolished during past renovations.

It was first built during the Yuan Dynasty. The Jiaqing Prefecture Chronicles record: “Bijia City, Shigui, in front of the prefectural school, was built by Ha Shan, the supervisor of Changde Road in the Yuan Dynasty, standing two zhang tall. In the 31st year of the Qianlong reign, a major flood damaged Bijia City. County Magistrate Wang Yongfang requested imperial funds for reconstruction, increasing its height and thickness by several zhang.” It has undergone several restorations, with the last major renovation taking place in the first year of the Xuantong reign, and the inscribed stele still remains.

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Hunan Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units