Han City Ruins

　　The Qitai Han City refers to the Han City as opposed to the Man City. It is located south of Pulei City from the Tang Dynasty and was constructed in the 35th year of the Qianlong reign (1770). The city site gradually expanded from the original site of the ancient Guchengzi military fortress. In addition to the ancient fortress, there was also an old Man City called “Fuyuan City.” Like the ancient fortress, it suffered severe damage from fires during centuries of warfare.

　　In the 9th year of the Guangxu reign (1883), the county seat of Guchengzi was moved from Jingning City in Old Qitai to Han City. Two years later, the Qing government built two new cities on the original site of the ancient fortress—one was the Han City and the other was the Man City. At the same time, the ruined old Man City was also restored.

　　In the 22nd year of the Guangxu reign (1896), the county town was expanded, connecting the Han City and the Man City. By the late 1930s, to defend against warfare, the government mobilized residents to build a surrounding wall around the city, incorporating both Guoguo Beach and the old Man City within the city limits. From then on, the Han City, Man City, and old Man City were unified into one city. During this period, the Han City was centered around Lifengjian, with East-West Main Street as its primary thoroughfare. Shops, businesses, stores, warehouses, workshops, temples, and guildhalls were densely clustered along the streets.