Donghuamen Site

Donghuamen Site

The Donghuamen Site is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Donghuamen Site

Period: Han to Ming

In August 2013, during routine surveys conducted in conjunction with the overall enhancement and renovation of the southern side of the Chengdu Sports Center, archaeologists from the Chengdu Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute discovered a Tang Dynasty courtyard. Since then, archaeological excavations here have continuously yielded surprises. By May 2014, the total excavation area reached 3,200 square meters, uncovering cultural remains from the Han, Six Dynasties, Sui-Tang-Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, and Ming periods. These include city walls, roads, house compounds, wells, ditches, ash pits, ash channels, ponds, and other structural features. More significantly, the historically famous Mohe Pond in Chengdu emerged for the first time, along with an “extravagant” Tang Dynasty official residence that was unveiled to the public for the first time.

Historically, Mohe Pond was frequently depicted by poets and scholars throughout the dynasties. The Poet Sage Du Fu once wrote, “Need not startle the egrets—let them keep me company by the clear stream,” while the beauty of Mohe Pond enchanted Lu You of the Song Dynasty so much that he “passed by it again and again.” Yet, it eventually disappeared from the land of Chengdu.

Today, the Donghuamen Site has uncovered cultural remains from the Warring States period to the Ming and Qing dynasties, including city walls, roads, house compounds, ponds, and more, along with a large number of unearthed artifacts such as pottery, porcelain, and coins. The excavation confirmed the location of Mohe Pond, which dates back to the Sui Dynasty, for the first time, and unearthed the foundation of an official building from the Tang Dynasty, as well as the ruins of the Shu King’s Palace and an artificial river from the Ming Dynasty. These findings are of milestone significance in the urban archaeology of Chengdu.

Timeline of Major Events at the Donghuamen Site

Starting in October 2013, the Chengdu Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute officially began excavations at the construction site of the “Chengdu Sports Center Overall Enhancement and Renovation Project.” This excavation confirmed the location of Mohe Pond, which dates back to the Sui Dynasty, for the first time, and unearthed the foundation of an official building from the Tang Dynasty, as well as the ruins of the Shu King’s Palace and an artificial river from the Ming Dynasty.

Officially named the Donghuamen Site in August 2014.

In March 2015, it was confirmed that the Donghuamen Site would be developed into a heritage park.

In November 2015, the conceptual plan for the Chengdu Donghuamen Site Park was completed, featuring full open and zero-distance exhibitions of the Sui Dynasty Mohe Pond.

In 2016, archaeologists discovered the northwest corner of the Ming Dynasty Mohe Pond.

In September 2016, the Donghuamen Site was included in the national “13th Five-Year Plan” for the protection of major heritage sites.

In November 2016, the backyard garden of the Shu King’s Palace was excavated at the Donghuamen Site.

In August 2017, Chengdu planned to develop a “Chengdu Cultural Center” spanning approximately 13.6 square kilometers, which includes the construction of the Donghuamen Site Park.

In 2018, the Tianfu Cultural Park construction project was launched. Among its components, the Donghuamen Site project is located south of the Chengdu Sports Center. It aims to create an open-air heritage park that balances historical and cultural preservation with public display, covering a construction area of 15 mu (approximately 1 hectare), with an investment of about 100 million yuan.

In 2019, the Donghuamen Site was announced by the People’s Government of Sichuan Province as part of the ninth batch of provincial cultural relic protection units.

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units