Tiger Terrace Ruins

Tiger Terrace Ruins

The Tiger Terrace Ruins are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tiger Terrace Ruins, located in the western suburbs of Xining, are the remnants of the Southern Liang (a small ancient kingdom) dating back to the 4th century AD.

This tall earthen terrace was built in 402 AD by the third ruler of the Southern Liang Dynasty, King Rou Tan, and named after his crown prince "Hu" (meaning tiger). It served as a military parade ground, hence the name "Tiger Terrace." According to the *New Chronicles of Xining Prefecture*, on the east side of the terrace there were four large earthen mounds, each over seven zhang tall, spaced 210 zhang apart, with only the northeastern mound being just over one zhang tall. On the west side, there were six smaller connected mounds, though it is unknown when they were built. These were once part of the grand architecture of the time,

Highlights:

Today, the site lies in ruins, with only the terrace remaining, surrounded by modern high-rise buildings.

Legend has it that the king of Southern Liang once assembled 100,000 troops at the base of the terrace to display military might. A vivid depiction of this is found in the poem *Reflections on Tiger Terrace* by Xining poet Li Huanzhang: *I recall when Southern Liang sought hegemony, / With sword in hand, the king pledged his troops atop the terrace. / Soaring banners touched the clouds, / As war drums thundered and horns sounded. / The Xianbei, awed by power, came bearing horses, / Tribes of Qinghai bowed before the terrace. / Soldiers stood guard in fearsome ranks, / While onlookers, like a mountain, murmured in awe.*

Even today, reading these lines still evokes the stirring image of clashing armies. Yet, this once-mighty little dynasty, proud and well-armed, lasted only 18 years before falling. Xining poet Ji Shenglan, lamenting the terrace and reflecting on history, wrote another poem: *In the past, the king of Southern Liang, / Waged endless wars and flaunted brute force. / Rampaging through the Hehuang region, / He would often raise his battle drums. / As dynasties bound to fall by conflict, / He ultimately became a captive of Western Qin. / Centuries have passed through upheaval, / Yet the terrace remains, standing through the ages.*

Location:

The Tiger Terrace is an inverted trapezoidal earthen mound located in the Huatai area of Chengxi District, Xining. It currently stands 30 meters tall with a perimeter of 360 meters. Locals refer to it as the "General’s Platform" or "Troop-Reviewing Platform."

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units