Yinping Ancient City

　　 The county seat of Wen County has gone through a great deal of change over thousands of years, with the city site relocated and rebuilt several times. Four county towns have been established: before the Tang Dynasty, the county seat was in what is now Xiyuan Village. Historically, this was the site of Qushui County, also known as the old town of ancient Wenzhou, and today there are still remnants of the city walls from the Western Wei Dynasty’s Qushui County and the Tang Dynasty’s Wenzhou. In the third year of the Jianzhong era (782 AD) during the reign of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty, the county seat of Qushui County in Wenzhou was moved to what is now Shangcheng. In the fourth year of the Hongwu era (1371 AD) of the Ming Dynasty, after the Yuan army breached the Wenzhou city, Wenzhou was re-designated as Wen County, and the city was relocated to the current "Suocheng" (named after the military-administered “Qianhu Suo” or Thousand-Household Garrison established in the Ming Dynasty). In the sixth year of the Chenghua era (1470 AD) of the Ming Dynasty, the "county city" (named after the location of the county government office) was expanded, and three layers of city walls were constructed.

　　 Chengguan Town, the showcase of Wen County, is dotted with scenic spots and rich in cultural relics. Historically, four of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Wen County" (Dawn Clearing at Wen Terrace, Xiyuan (no translation needed), Clear Rainbow Waterfall, and Sunset at Mantis Cliff) were located near the county town. Many literati have composed poems in praise of these sites, some of which have become timeless masterpieces.

　　The Qing Dynasty poet Li Guoshi wrote in his poem "Xiyuan (no translation needed)": "The scenery at Xiyuan is truly extraordinary; leisurely strolling here inspires boundless delight. Warm sunlight bathes peach blossoms in brilliant hues, while a gentle breeze wafts the fragrance of willows. Fish leap like jade in fragrant ponds, birds chirp melodiously around village trees. Granaries overflow with harvested grain, and old farmers rejoice in the peace and abundance of the season." The Qing Dynasty poet Liu Dayou wrote in "Clear Rainbow at the Waterfall": "A cascade tumbles down the steep cliff, as if heavenly Milky Way has fallen to earth. A thousand strands of white silk hang over green ridges, and countless pearls scatter over emerald vines. The sound carries the cool autumn breeze, refreshing the air, while the form dances under the moon, chillier in the night. This splendid excursion feels like ascending to a fairyland, prompting one to sing aloud toward drifting clouds." Xiyuan (no translation needed) and Dripping Water Cliff Waterfall are two tourist resources urgently awaiting development. With just a bit of enhancement, and given their proximity to the county town, they are ideal locations for establishing “agritainment” tourism. Visiting these sites also offers a glimpse into the ancient "Qushui County" and "Wenzhou City."

　　To the north of the county town, at Huoguoguan (Fire-Setting Pass) in Guanjia Gully, lies one of Wen County’s renowned and formidable passes. Extremely steep and rugged, it was a strategic stronghold along the ancient Yinping plank road and the site of fierce battles involving fire attacks during the Yuan Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty poet Beidi (or Li Mengyang) wrote in "Huoguoguan": "Dark valleys often hold lightning’s trace, deep mountains brew clouds in endless space. Still visible are scars from fiery fights—how can one bear to read the tombstone’s text? The land once held few people, frost enshrouds the wild hues at dusk. How can one bear passing here again, whose toil and hardship shall ever be heard?" At Guanjia Gully’s Wuliguan (Five-Li Pass), there are remains of Wuliguan and the tomb of General Wang Xingzu, who died in battle during Fu Youde’s campaign against Shu in the Ming Dynasty. Vestiges of the ancient Jiaocheng (now Jiachang Administrative Village) from the Three Kingdoms period and Deng’ai City (now Yuancitou Administrative Village) can still be faintly discerned, adding a unique charm to the Three Kingdoms culture of Yinping. On the southeast corner of Suocheng, there is an ancient structure—the Wenchang Tower—built in the sixth year of the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty. With a history of over 400 years, its soaring eaves and painted beams gleam magnificently. It is an excellent spot for sightseeing, where, from its height, both city areas come into view, and the Baisui River shimmers like a silk ribbon, bringing joy to the heart and mind. Southeast of the county town, a lone hill rises over 20 meters high on the northern bank of the Baisui River in Dongba, atop which stands a complex of buildings—the Wenchang Palace—constructed on the ancient cultural site of “Jiangtai” (General’s Platform). The hill resembles a coiled dragon or crouching tiger, with the flat land to its north serving as an ancient military training and command ground. Both Wenchang Tower and Wenchang Palace are cherished by the people of Wen County through the ages, and community leaders and scholars have all strongly advocated for their protection. At the foot of Nanshan Temple Mountain in the southern part of the county town, an ancient wooden bridge once spanned the Baisui River. Built in (year missing), it was grand in scale and commonly known as Yinping Bridge, Fensheng Bridge, or South Bridge. It was demolished in the 1960s to make way for an iron-chain bridge, which was later replaced by a concrete highway bridge in the 1980s.

　　Source: Gansu Wen County Official Website