Ming Dynasty Prison

Ming Dynasty Prison

The Ming Dynasty Prison is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

The Hongtong Ming Dynasty Prison is China’s only and most well-preserved ancient county prison from the Ming Dynasty. Built in the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD), it has a history of over 600 years. The famous Beijing woman Su San, who suffered injustice in Hongtong, was imprisoned here. As you step into the entrance hall, you’ll see a narrow north-south passage. At both ends of the passage are six symmetrical ordinary prison cells on the east and west sides. Each cell has a low door and small windows, covering an area of just four square meters, with a small earthen sleeping platform less than one foot above the ground. Historical records indicate that these cramped cells often held as few as five or six people, and at times more than ten. The most eye-catching part of the prison is the death row cell. Above the cell door is a stone-carved animal head, which legend says is named Bixian, the fourth son of the Dragon King. Fierce and skilled in combat, Bixian loved litigation. The Dragon King assigned it to guard the prison gate and oversee the inmates. The ancients often carved its image above prison doors, and because it resembles a tiger, it is commonly known as the “Tiger Head Cell.”

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Shanxi Province