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The Old City of Guangwu

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The Old City of Guangwu The Old City of Guangwu (Sixth Batch National Heritage Site) Era: Ming Dynasty Location: Jiuguangwu Village, Zhangjiazhuang Township, Shanyin County The Old City of Guangwu is located in Shanyin County, about 5 kilometers from Yanmenguan Pass. It was originally built in the first year of the Qianxiang era of the Liao Dynasty (917 AD) and was reconstructed during the Hongwu and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty (1374–1619). The original walls were made of rammed earth, and were later rebuilt and encased in bricks during the Ming Dynasty. The ancient city is 338 meters wide from east to west, 498 meters long from north to south, with a total perimeter of 1,654.94 meters. The city walls are 8 meters high and 3.4 meters wide at the top, featuring 12 barbicans, 4 watchtowers, and 3 gate towers on the east, south, and west sides. Except for significant damage to the crenellations, the city walls are relatively well-preserved. Inside the city, there are four streets and eight alleys, one beacon tower, one theater stage, and remnants of ancient courtyard homes that still retain a sense of historic charm. Two ancient cypress trees—one male and one female—have thrived for a thousand years and remain lush and vibrant.

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The Old City of Guangwu is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Old City of Guangwu

The Old City of Guangwu (Sixth Batch National Heritage Site)

Era: Ming Dynasty

Location: Jiuguangwu Village, Zhangjiazhuang Township, Shanyin County

The Old City of Guangwu is located in Shanyin County, about 5 kilometers from Yanmenguan Pass. It was originally built in the first year of the Qianxiang era of the Liao Dynasty (917 AD) and was reconstructed during the Hongwu and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty (1374–1619). The original walls were made of rammed earth, and were later rebuilt and encased in bricks during the Ming Dynasty. The ancient city is 338 meters wide from east to west, 498 meters long from north to south, with a total perimeter of 1,654.94 meters. The city walls are 8 meters high and 3.4 meters wide at the top, featuring 12 barbicans, 4 watchtowers, and 3 gate towers on the east, south, and west sides. Except for significant damage to the crenellations, the city walls are relatively well-preserved. Inside the city, there are four streets and eight alleys, one beacon tower, one theater stage, and remnants of ancient courtyard homes that still retain a sense of historic charm. Two ancient cypress trees—one male and one female—have thrived for a thousand years and remain lush and vibrant.

Perched beyond Yanmenguan Pass, the Old City of Guangwu served as the sole gateway for ancient nomadic tribes from northern China to enter the Central Plains. It was a key stronghold in the ancient frontier military defense system and represents the essence of ancient military strategic fortifications.