Longde City

Longde City

The county seat of Longde is located on the southern bank of the Tianshui River, 5 kilometers west of the Liupan Mountains. The area features open terrain, described as "flat and militarily crucial," making it a key battleground throughout history. The ancient city ruins of Channa County from the Qin and Han dynasties are situated in Gucheng Town, 15 kilometers west of Pengyang County. The site lies in the center of a triangular plain on the north bank of the Ru River, where the Ru River and Renhe River converge. It is bordered by Dianwa Reservoir to the east, Channajiu to the west, Luojia Mountain to the north, and surrounded by peaks, resembling dragons and tigers in motion. The urban area contains thousands of hectares of fertile farmland. The North Main Canal of the River Reservoir runs through the city, with murmuring water, shaded trees, fluttering butterflies and bees, creating a picturesque scene.

In the winter of the 9th year of the Republic of China (1920), the city suffered an earthquake, causing the collapse of all city walls and gate towers. In the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927), funds were raised for repairs. The rebuilt city wall stood 12 meters high, with a base width of 12.5 meters, a top width of 6 meters, crenellated parapets 1.5 meters high, merlons 0.4 meters tall, and a moat 5 meters wide, fed by the clear waters of the Qingliu and Qingliang rivers. The gates were named “Embracing Greenery” (East Gate), “Reaping Abundance” (West Gate), “Drawing in Azure” (South Gate), and “Welcoming Grace” (North Gate). The gateways had arched brick passages, and the gate towers featured double-layered upturned eaves and dougong brackets. Today, only 1,147 meters of the northern and southern walls remain, including sections of the Ming dynasty-built southern wall. Eight stone pillars and a stele inscribed with the “Record of Meritorious Deeds for the Burial Beneath Guangji Chan Temple Pagoda in Deshun Prefecture” from the Jin dynasty were unearthed south of the city.

Channa City has long been a strategic military stronghold. During the Qin and Han dynasties, it served as a key route to Chang’an. Today, it is a site under key cultural relics protection. In spring, peach blossoms and willows paint the landscape in vibrant hues; in summer, blue waters stretch as far as the eye can see; in autumn, red leaves cover the scenery; and in winter, lush pines maintain their verdant vibrancy. The ruined walls of the ancient Channa City exude a simple and majestic charm; newly built commercial buildings complement traditional residential courtyards; broad asphalt roads exist alongside narrow alleyways; bustling markets contrast with serene farmhouses; and the tranquil and solemn Dongshan Mosque, along with schools alive with the sounds of reading, nestle among green pines and cypresses, forming an elegant and classic tableau.