Zhongshe Site

Zhongshe Site

The Zhongshe Site is a cultural heritage site protected by Taiyuan City.

The Zhongshe Site is located about 500 meters northeast of Zhongshe Village, Huangzhai Town, Yangqu County. It stretches approximately 370 meters from east to west and 270 meters from north to south, covering an area of about 10,000 square meters. An exposed cultural layer, about 0.5 to 0.7 meters thick, is found on the eroded cliff face. Artifacts collected here include fragments of gray pottery jars made of clay and sandy clay from the Longshan Culture period, with rope patterns, basket patterns, and other designs on their surfaces. On the ground surface, fragments of gray pottery from the Longshan Culture period, both fine clay and sandy clay, have been collected. These fragments feature basket and rope patterns, and the identifiable vessel shapes are mainly jars.

Zhongshe Village, where the Zhongshe Site is located, lies in the central plain area of Yangqu County. To the west is Qipan Mountain, to the south is Banshi Mountain, and to the east and south is the Zhongshe River. The terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The region has a temperate continental monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 9°C and an average annual precipitation of 450–500 millimeters. The groundwater level is deep, and the climate is dry. The main vegetation includes pine, poplar, and willow trees. The site is situated to the northeast of the village, adjacent to a seasonal river to the south, and surrounded by flat land. The terrace where the site is located is now used as farmland, planted with crops such as corn, millet, and beans.

The Zhongshe Site has clear cultural content and a regular distribution. Based on the collected samples, it is a typical remnant from the Longshan Culture period of the Neolithic Age and serves as an important site for studying the Longshan Culture remains in the Taiyuan Basin.

Huangzhai Town: Huangzhai Town is the seat of Yangqu County government and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the county. The town administers 17 administrative villages and 37 natural villages, with a total of 7,635 households and a population of 48,484. It covers a total area of 109.6 square kilometers, including 51,700 mu of arable land. It is 18 kilometers south of Taiyuan, the provincial capital, and 49 kilometers north of Xinzhou. Major transportation routes such as National Highway 108 (Dayun Expressway), the Yuanping-Taiyuan Expressway, and the Beitaipu Railway run through the town, making transportation very convenient. The area enjoys prominent geographical advantages, abundant water resources, and fertile land. The local people are known for their simple customs and kindness.

The Party Committee and government of Huangzhai Town adhere to the spirit of the Party’s — Detailed information about Huangzhai Town++

Further reading:

· The Third Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Taiyuan City