Wating City

Wating City

Wating City

Wating City is located 30 kilometers north of the county seat, at the northern entrance of Dantong Gorge on the eastern foothills of the Liupan Mountains. It was one of the important passes in northwestern China during history. Surrounded by towering peaks, with intersecting roads in all directions, deep valleys, and treacherous terrain, it was easy to defend and hard to attack. It was once an ancient battlefield where “armored cavalry charged forth amid the clash of swords and spears,” earning the nickname “Iron Wating” and serving as a strategic military stronghold. The postal station was first established here during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it remained a key stop along the post road throughout successive dynasties. In March of the third year of the Guangxu reign (1877), Wei Guangtao renovated Wating City. After the restoration, “the foundation was reinforced, the width and length were expanded, 690-plus steps were newly built, and 188-plus steps were repaired. Built along the mountain’s contour, its height varied from 2 zhang 7 or 8 chi to 3 zhang 6 or 7 chi [approximately 8.7 to 11.7 meters], its width was 1 zhang 3 chi [approximately 4.2 meters], and its base was double that. Enemy towers were erected atop, featuring 524 crenels, 8 large and small watchtowers, and 7 water channels. Thus, it ‘stood firm as a mighty stronghold.’ Because Wating City was built against the northern mountain, it only had gates on the east, south, and west sides, all inlaid with stone plaques bearing their names. The west gate is called ‘Consolidation’ (implying facing Gongchang and Guyuan, and also carrying the meaning of ‘consolidation in the western frontier’), the south gate is called ‘Prosperity’ (meaning it connects to Longde and Huaping directly administered districts to the south, also implying ‘graceful enlightenment’), and the east gate is named ‘Pacify the Plains’ (referring to the bordering regions of Zhenyuan and Pingliang to the east, and also implying ‘pacifying the Western barbarians’). The current pass city is the one renovated in the late Qing Dynasty. Lush peaks, sturdy fortifications, swaying willows, and murmuring streams create a picturesque scene. Whenever the rain clears and the sky brightens, visitors who climb to a high vantage point can take in a breathtaking view of rising clouds and misty hues, with smoke and fog gathering and dispersing—a truly splendid sight.