The city wall of Yongningzhou

The city wall of Yongningzhou

The city wall of Yongningzhou is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The ancient city of Yongningzhou is located at the northern end of Baishou Town, Yongfu County, Guilin City, Guangxi Province, facing Baishou Rock across the river. Originally built in the 13th year of the Chenghua reign during the Ming Dynasty (1477), the ancient city has withstood 529 years of history. Initially constructed as an earthen fortress, the city wall was approximately 1,000 meters in circumference, 5 meters high, and over 2 meters thick. In the 18th year of Chenghua, it was rebuilt with stone. In the 6th year of the Longqing reign (1572), the city was expanded westward by over 80 meters, with four city gates constructed: the eastern gate named "Dongxing Gate," the southern gate called "Zhenning Gate," the western gate known as "Anding Gate," and the northern gate referred to as "Ying'en Gate." By the 3rd year of the Wanli reign, the wall was heightened by 1.3 meters and thickened by 0.6 meters. In the 8th year of Wanli (1580), the city was further expanded 100 meters northward, increasing the perimeter to 1,277 meters, with the wall standing 6.33 meters high and 3.2 meters thick. It featured 637 battlements, 12 watchtowers, 4 military posts, and gate towers were added atop the four gates. In the 14th year of Wanli (1586), a 430-meter-long moat embankment was constructed to the east of the ancient city, and the city wall was further thickened with additional crenellations and guardhouses.

According to local historical records, Yongningzhou Ancient City was originally the seat of the ancient county of Gutian. In the 5th year of the Longqing reign (1571) during the Ming Dynasty, it was elevated to a directly administered prefecture and named “Yongning,” from which the ancient city derives its name.

According to cultural relics experts, Yongningzhou Ancient City played a crucial military role over its 500-year history and was a strategic stronghold constantly contested in battles. Each dynastic change brought warfare to the city. However, its remarkable preservation after more than 500 years of turmoil is nothing short of a miracle.

Yongningzhou Ancient City is situated in a perilous section of the route from Guilin to Rong’an, with only one ancient path passing through the gorge. The city was built at this vital point, flanked by natural rivers that served as moats, and surrounded by mountains for dozens of kilometers. Six kilometers to the north lies the treacherous Santaoling Pass (formerly known as San’e Ling), stretching over ten kilometers. Yongningzhou Ancient City sits along the ancient path beneath this strategic mountain pass, functioning like a fortress — defensible and impenetrable, embodying the saying “one man can hold the pass against ten thousand.”

According to the Yongfu County Annals, after the 5th year of the Hongzhi reign (1492) during the Ming Dynasty, a Zhuang ethnic peasant rebellion led by Wei Chaowei, Qin Wanxian, and Wei Yinbao occupied Yongningzhou Ancient City for over 80 years, turning this mountainous stronghold into the center of peasant uprisings in Guangxi.

In the 11th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1672 AD), both the northern and southern city towers were destroyed by fire, and large sections of the wall collapsed, though they were later restored. In the 38th year of the Guangxu reign (1902), a resistance movement led by Qin Laofa against the Qing broke out nearby. Rebel forces marched toward Yongningzhou, putting the city in grave danger. The Qing government urgently dispatched reinforcements to protect the ancient city.

In the 12th year of the Republic of China, a local bandit named Wei Houfan, after being incorporated into the Guilin Self-Government Army, occupied Yongningzhou Ancient City and declared himself county magistrate, imposing taxes and grain levies on the populace, which sparked a riot. Over a thousand local residents armed with swords, spears, and firearms fiercely attacked the ancient city for several days. However, the sturdy stone walls made it difficult to breach. After laying siege to the city for seven days and nights, Wei Jiugou was forced to surrender to the rebels.

In the 24th year of the Republic of China, people from Zhongdu (Zhongzhou), Rong’an, and Baishou counties protested against Guangxi’s implementation of the “Three Selfs and Three Residences” policy and “national military training.” A young man from Rong’an County was executed by the government for evading conscription, triggering an uprising of seven to eight thousand people. On August 26 of that year, over two thousand protesters attacked Yongning Ancient City. However, due to inferior weapons, they were initially unable to breach the solid and towering stone walls. Reinforcements from the Kuomintang arrived, forcing the protesters to disperse quickly.

In the 33rd year of the Republic of China, Japanese invading forces attacked Baishou and twice captured Yongning Ancient City, occupying it for eight months. During this period, anti-Japanese self-defense forces engaged the Japanese in over 160 battles.

In the 38th year of the Republic of China, as the nation neared liberation, over 5,000 troops from the 13th Army (including two divisions) of the Kuomintang’s so-called “Guangxi Salvation Army” and the 172nd Division of the 7th Army retreated into Baishou, attempting to hold the ancient city for a last stand. The 146th and 147th Divisions of the People’s Liberation Army’s 49th Army surrounded Baishou. To protect civilian lives and property, the PLA persuaded the enemy commander Zhou Zuhuang to surrender. With no way out, over ten thousand enemy soldiers laid down their arms. The ancient city was spared from bombardment and thus preserved intact.

The surviving city wall of Yongning Ancient City stands 3.7 meters high and 3.2 meters thick, measuring 467 meters from north to south, 173 meters from east to west, with a total circumference of 1,277 meters and an area of approximately 80,800 square meters. Some ancient houses and roads still remain within the city. According to cultural relics experts, Yongningzhou Ancient City is one of the best-preserved Ming Dynasty cities in Guangxi and even southern regions of the Yangtze River. In August 1981, it was designated as a Autonomous Region-level Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The film “The Provisional President” was filmed here, featuring many scenes. Yongning Ancient City is also known for its many long-lived residents. Among the over 700 current inhabitants, there are two centenarians and more than ten people over 80 years old. The reason for the high number of long-lived people in Yongning Ancient City remains a mystery.

Standing on the watchtower of the eastern gate of the ancient city and looking into the distance, about 100 meters east of the Baishou River lies the world-famous “Baishou Rock.” Villagers report that in the village near Baishou Rock, there is also a resident over 100 years old. Legend has it that Liao Fu, who lived beside Baishou Rock during the Han Dynasty, reached the age of 158, and his family members all lived beyond 100. Could the abundance of long-lived people here be related to the local water source? Recently, the Yongfu County Cultural Relics Management Office excavated the legendary “Cinnabar Well” near the entrance of Baishou Rock, aiming to uncover the secret behind the longevity of its residents.

Near the entrance of Baishou Rock, there stands a towering ancient tree — the world’s largest Dazhongyang (a type of tree). About 20 meters up its trunk, a thick banyan tree grows as a parasite. The banyan’s roots have completely merged with the trunk of the Dazhongyang and flourish vigorously, creating a “spectacular ancient tree wonder.”

The Yongfu County Party Committee and government are currently integrating cultural heritage sites such as Yongningzhou Ancient City, Baishou Rock, the Cinnabar Well, and the “Ancient Tree Wonder” as key tourism projects under the flagship of Fushou (Fortune and Longevity) culture for Yongfu — the Hometown of Fortune and Longevity. These attractions are drawing visitors from around the world with their unique charm.

Baishou Town: Located southwest of Guilin City and northwest of Yongfu County, Baishou Town is traversed by Provincial Highway 306. It lies 70 kilometers north of the famous tourist city Guilin, 110 kilometers south of Liuzhou — a key industrial city in Guangxi, and 47 kilometers from the county seat. The town governs 12 village committees, covers an area of 413.4 square kilometers, and has 42,000 mu of arable land, including 29,000 mu of paddy fields. The total population is 34,000, with 9,500 residing in the town itself. The population includes Han, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Dong, and Hui ethnic groups. The town has a bustling market and thriving trade... More detailed information about Baishou Town++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units