Last updated 2026-11-15 — Located southwest of Tengzhou city center, about 5 kilometers from the downtown area. Historical records state, “Within twenty li of the ancient city lies a smaller inner city.” The city walls of the ancient city can still be faintly seen today. The “outer city” is roughly square-shaped, extending from east to west. Along the southern section of the outer city’s western wall lies a moat, commonly known as “Xihai Zi,” which was once the city’s protective trench. In the southeastern corners of the outer city are two low-lying marshy areas filled with water, resembling ponds. In the past, they were covered with lotus plants, earning the poetic description of “two pools of lotus blossoms, a city of hibiscus.” The “inner city” is situated in the center of the outer city, also roughly square, with a perimeter of over 10 Chinese li. Over the past century, local residents have built earthen fortifications on the original city foundation to protect against warfare and floods. Today, the “inner city” stands 3–4 meters above the ground, with locust trees covering its ramparts, providing lush green shade and fragrant blossoms. Within the city lies Tengcheng Village, surrounded by verdant orchards and farmland that exude vitality. In the northeastern corner of the city stands a high platform known as the “Wen Gong Terrace,” also called the “Ling Terrace.” Beneath the terrace is a pond, traditionally referred to as the “Ling Pond.” The *Mencius · King Hui of Liang I* records: “King Wen built a terrace and a pond for the people, and the people rejoiced. They called the terrace the Ling Terrace and the pond the Ling Pond.” Duke Wen of Teng emulated King Wen by constructing the Ling Terrace and digging the Ling Pond, embodying the spirit of sharing joy with the people. During the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, the Zhenwu Temple was built on the terrace. On the left side of the temple’s side gate, there is a brick-carved couplet by Wei Jicha, a Qing Dynasty scholar, which reads: “Ancient relics near the Jing River, once upon a high terrace, people cherished the prince; the hereditary title originally belonged to Shuxiu, do not mistake the flying pavilion for the King of Teng.” This serves as evidence. To the east of the terrace, there were historically constructed structures such as the “Wenchang Pavilion,” “Lvzu Pavilion,” “Merit Shrine,” and “Rest Shrine.” There is also a merit stone inscribed with a magical and moving story. On the terrace’s surface lies a huge stone engraved with the two characters “壮观” (spectacular), written in the hand of Li Bai. In front of the terrace stand two ancient locust trees, sturdy and rustic, standing opposite each other with lush, flourishing branches. Legend says they were planted during the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan era, over 1,000 years ago, and are revered by locals as “sacred trees.”