Helu City

　　　Helu City is situated near the Lü River in Xueyan Township, Wujin City, and Huchang Township, Xishan City. It was constructed in the 6th year of King Jing of Zhou (514 BC) by the order of King Helü of Wu, under the direction of his minister Wu Zixu, as a defensive stronghold against attacks from the states of Chu and Yue during the period of contention among the three powers. It served as an important military site in ancient times.

　　　　According to surveys, the city is surrounded by rivers on all sides, with only the southwestern half of the city wall remaining. The city is rectangular in shape, with a perimeter of approximately 2,420 meters, about 910 meters in length from east to west, and about 600 meters in width from north to south. The base of the city walls is about 20-plus meters wide, and the current height varies between 2 to 4 meters. No bricks or stones have been found in the cross-sections of the walls, indicating that the city was built entirely from earth. Slightly east of the southern side of the city lies an opening about 36 meters wide, which may have been a gate in ancient times. The city enjoys a strategically perilous position, with Xushan, Busesan, and Longshan mountains serving as a natural barrier to the rear; the distant Nanshan mountain range lies ahead, and a large lake is to the left. Beacon mounds on the mountains and earthen fortifications below made it ideal for both offense and defense.