The Machi City Site and Zhaowan Tomb Cluster

The Machi City Site and Zhaowan Tomb Cluster

The Machi City Site and Zhaowan Tomb Cluster are designated as National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

The ruins of the Han Dynasty Machi Ancient City are located in the northwest of Machi Township on the outskirts of Baotou City, covering a total area of over 900,000 square meters. They are among the best-preserved and largest ancient city wall ruins in the Baotou region. The city walls stand 6 meters high, with a base width of 10 meters and a top width of 3–4 meters. The city is divided into northern and southern sections, forming a double-diamond shape and connected to each other. The northern city measures 800 meters from east to west and 550 meters from north to south. The southern city measures 660 meters from east to west and 675 meters from north to south, extending 360 meters outward from the northern city, with the rest connected to it. In the early Qing Dynasty, the Sanhu Bay area was abundant in green hemp, and at that time there were 13 hemp-retting pools here, leading to the village being called Machi Village.

The city walls are 6 meters high, with a base width of 10 meters and a top width of 3–4 meters. The city is divided into northern and southern sections, forming a double-diamond shape and connected to each other. The northern city measures 800 meters from east to west and 500 meters from north to south, while the southern city measures 660 meters from east to west and 675 meters from north to south, extending 360 meters outward from the northern city, with the rest connected to it. The total area is approximately over 900,000 square meters.

In 1954, at Tomb No. 16 in Zhaowan, Machi, gold and silver hollow decorative pieces in the shapes of tigers, leopards, and camels were excavated, along with cylindrical artifacts featuring hunting patterns, all displaying distinct Xiongnu cultural characteristics. The ancient city also yielded Han Dynasty–cast roof tiles inscribed with "Chanyu’s Peaceful Union" and "Chanyu Descends from Heaven." It is speculated that these tiles were likely made to commemorate Wang Zhaojun’s marriage alliance and her departure for the frontier, and were used in construction. The Machi site has been designated as an Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region–level Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units