Sando Ancient Fortress

　　Xiangyu Sando Ancient Fortress was the former residence of Sun Ju-xiang, Sun Ke-xiang, and Sun Ding-xiang, a generation of renowned statesmen and military strategists during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. It is situated 55 kilometers southeast of Qinshui County. Sun Ju-xiang once served as an imperial censor in Nanjing, vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue, vice minister of the Ministry of Works, vice minister of the Ministry of War, vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and as commander-in-chief and minister of the Ministry of Revenue, earning the title “the most incorruptible official under heaven.” He authored 36 volumes of Huangming Liutai Zoushu (Memorials from the Imperial Court of the Ming Dynasty), 20 volumes of Biyanzheng Ji (Collection of Strict Writings), and several volumes of Cheng’en Tang Yigao (Manuscripts from the Hall of Imperial Grace). His second younger brother, Sun Ke-xiang, served as governor of seven provinces and as chief censor; his third younger brother, Sun Ding-xiang, held positions such as chief censor, associate grand master, head of four ministries, and governor of Guangxi with military oversight. In the third year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty, the Sun family began constructing the honeycomb-style fortress. The ancient city stretches 280 meters from east to west and 100–150 meters from north to south, with a total perimeter of approximately 760 meters. The city walls are 4 meters wide, and the southern wall reaches a maximum height of 25 meters from the base of the troop-hiding caves, typically standing at 4–5 meters. The total area of the ancient city is 32,500 square meters. Currently, well-preserved structures include the southern gate, eastern gate, sections of the southern and northern walls, and defensive fortifications, with parts of the western gate’s arched foundations still remaining. It is hailed as “the foremost rural fortress in northern China.” Major structures within the city include: the Sando Government Office, ten major residences, and various male residences, all oriented north-south and arranged in an “odd on the east, even on the west” layout. This architectural complex integrates wood carving, stone carving, and brick carving, representing a rare and remarkable ensemble of ancient architecture from the Ming Dynasty.

　　　　According to expert assessments, this ancient fortress is exceptionally well-preserved, with architectural planning and artistic style surpassing those of the Imperial City Residence Complex.