Ancient City of Siliangcheng

Ancient City of Siliangcheng

The Ancient City of Siliangcheng is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The ruins of the ancient city of Jinsiliangcheng are located two kilometers north of Dundahao Town in Zhenglan Banner, Xilin Gol League. The site was originally a pastureland of the Wuhuan nomads, hence it was named Huanzhou City. It was first built during the Jin Dynasty. The ancient city is square-shaped, measuring 1,052.5 meters from east to west and 1,136.8 meters from north to south. The city gates on the eastern and western sides can still be identified.

The rammed earth walls are not distinctly prominent, with remnants standing 3–5 meters high. There are protruding battlements (mǎmiàn) approximately every 60 meters. Within the city, there are remains of building foundations, which are believed to have been the sites of government offices.

The ancient city is scattered with numerous fragments of bricks and tiles. The tiles have a plain surface on the back and a cloth-patterned reverse. Most bricks are gray and plain, with a small number featuring grooved patterns. Coarse porcelain double-handled jars, iron axes, as well as ceramic shards from the Ding and Jun kilns have been unearthed in the city.

Cultural Relics Protection

On May 3, 2013, the State Council announced the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, totaling 1,943 sites. Among them were 516 ancient ruins, including the Ancient City of Siliangcheng.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units