Site of Zhenhai Guard City

　　Location: At the foot of Nanputuo Mountain and by the Hong River, Longhai City, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province

　　This is a renowned ancient military fortress city, with walls entirely built of stone, perched on the mountains and facing the sea, resembling a dragon emerging from the water. It is known as one of the Four Great Guards of the early Ming Dynasty, alongside Weihai Guard, Tianjin Guard, and Jinshan Guard. The Zhenhai Guard was established in the 20th year of the Hongwu reign (1387) by Jiangxia Marquis Zhou Dexing to defend against Japanese pirates. It predates Zhaojiabao in Zhangpu by over 180 years and is more than twice its size. The guard city originally had four gates—east, west, south, and north—each with a tower. Later, the east gate was often closed, and a water gate was opened. The best-preserved gates today are the south gate and the water gate, especially the south gate, which features a unique construction with two layers of gates. After entering the first gate, there are semi-circular walls on both sides, commonly known as the Moon Eyebrow Walls (or simply Moon Walls).

　　Inside the city are Back Mountain, Drum Mountain, Yao Mountain, Zhao Mountain, and Granary Mountain, collectively known as the Five Star Mountains. Outside the city are Brewing Barrel Head Mountain and Earth God Mountain, resembling the Seven Stars scattered across the land, collectively called the Seven Stars Descending to Earth. To the south of the city are Elephant Trunk Mountain and Flag Tail Mountain. The Zhenhai Guard City is dotted with wells, reportedly totaling ninety-nine, located along stone paths, beside banyan trees, and within courtyards. Legend has it that the Seven Star Well and the Willow Tree Well have the sweetest water. The Seven Star Well is now within a People’s Liberation Army camp area, providing water for drinking and washing for the entire camp. The Willow Tree Well is located in the residential area inside the south gate. Both inside and outside the Zhenhai Guard, not only are the mountains and sea breathtakingly beautiful, but there are also many well-preserved ancestral halls, temples, pavilions, steles, and memorial archways for visitors to admire. Within the city, there are historical sites such as the Decapitated Arhat, Dongyue Scenic View, Temple of the City God, Confucius Temple, Stele of the Righteous Learning School, remains of the Dressing Tower, Guan Yu Temple, remnants of the Tablet of General Zhaoyi, ancient stone memorial archways, ancient streets from the Ming Dynasty, and ancient city walls. To the right of the water gate, under a willow tree, there is an ancient underground tunnel, said to be part of an extensive tunnel network, one of the Eighteen Caves of Southern Fujian, known as the “Moth Cave.” Also to the right of the water gate, there is an ancient banyan tree (red banyan), at least as old as the guard city itself. It stands as a witness to the rise and fall of the Zhenhai Guard.

　　The Zhenhai Guard City has withstood six hundred years of history, and the majestic aura of its ancient fortifications still remains. With its magnificent mountains and seas and abundant resources, it shines like a pearl on the sea, radiating a splendid glow.