Ruins of the Shuicheng City Wall

　　 The Shuicheng Ting City. The construction of the city wall began in the 10th year of the Yongzheng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1732), one year before the establishment of Shuicheng Ting. According to the "Shuicheng Ting Survey Record": "In the 10th year of Yongzheng, a proposal was made to build an earthen city wall, six chi thick, ten zhang high, encircling 372 zhang. In the 24th year of Qianlong, it was reconstructed as a stone city wall, eight chi thick, fifteen zhang high, encircling 450 zhang, with 648 crenels. There were three city gates: Dong Yihui in the east, Qi Wen in the south, and Jing Cheng in the west. Fengchi River divided into two branches west of the city — one flowing around the south and the other around the north, converging at the east of the city, over five zhang wide."

　　 It also records: "In the spring of the 1st year of the Guangxu reign, Tongpan Chen Changyan renovated the three gate towers: Dong Chunxi, inscribed with ‘Welcoming Auspicious Airs’; Qi Xianghua in the south, inscribed with ‘Clear Winds, Yu’s Journey’; and Xi Guaxin in the west, inscribed with ‘Moonlit Waters Crystal Clear.’ Each tower had two stories, each floor about sixteen chi tall, with a central hall and two side rooms on each side."

　　 Because the area north of the city was a swamp unsuitable for roads, gates, or construction, Shuicheng did not have a northern gate. All three gate towers featured double-eaved roofs with five ridges, standing over 10 meters tall. Unfortunately, they were demolished along with the city wall.

　　 During the Qing Dynasty, among the five territories under the Dading Prefecture, Shuicheng had the smallest city scale, but was well known throughout the province for being delicate, exquisite, and sturdy. The craftsmanship was refined and the shape elegant. The stones used were large and solid. The inner and outer walls were built with meticulously chiseled pentahedral stones, making them top-tier in Guizhou Province at the time. For over 200 years after its construction, the wall was never breached.

　　 Because the city is surrounded by water on all sides, it is called "Shuicheng" (Water City); the shape of the city is also likened to a floating lotus leaf, hence it is also known as "Hecheng" (Lotus City).

　　 This site holds research value for urban studies and military history. The people of Shuicheng hold deep local affection for it. On June 3, 1989, it was designated as a county-level cultural heritage protection unit.