Huangsiguan Ancient City

　　Huangsiguan Ancient City was first built in the third year of the Chuigong era during the Tang Dynasty (687 AD) (according to *The Chronicles of Hunan Province · Geography*: “The Tang Dynasty established Weiyang County, with its county seat located southwest of the present site—this place is now called Huangsiguan”). It underwent renovations and repairs through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, provincial and county governments allocated funds for further restoration, creating an imposing stone fortress. Historically used as a military garrison, it served as a frontline defense post for successive rulers to guard against unrest among the western Miao people.

　　The ancient city is constructed from blue limestone, featuring walls that are 5.6 meters high, 2.9 meters thick, and 2.4 meters wide, stretching 153 meters from east to west and 190 meters from north to south, with a total perimeter of 686 meters and covering an area of 2,900 square meters. The stones used were all fine-quality bluish-gray limestone, some weighing over 1,000 jin (approximately 500 kg). The stone surfaces were meticulously chiseled and polished, showcasing refined craftsmanship. During construction, a mortar made from glutinous rice porridge mixed with lime was used to fill the joints, binding the hundreds of meters of wall into a cohesive, sturdy structure. The ancient city has three gates, each adorned with a towering gate tower built in the Qing-style architectural fashion, standing over ten meters high. The east gate tower is inscribed with “He Yu Men” (Gate of Harmony and Nurture), the west gate tower with “Shi Cheng Men” (Solid City Gate), and the north gate tower with “Ri Guang Men” (Sunlight Gate). The roofs of the three gate towers are all in the hip-and-gable style, with lower eaves and small green tiles, their upturned corners adding remarkable grandeur.

　　The upper part of the city walls features sawtooth-shaped battlements with 300 arrow slits, as well as two protruding artillery platforms. Standing atop the platforms, one can envision the scene of old—arrow slits lined with weapons, figures moving about the artillery emplacements, and the distant watchtowers on the surrounding hills sending up smoke signals. It feels as though you can still glimpse the clashing of swords and hear the cries of battle, evoking a profound sense of solemnity and tragedy. In October 1983, Huangsiguan Ancient City was designated as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.

　　Best Time to Visit

　　Huangsiguan Ancient City is located in western Hunan. The region has a subtropical monsoon humid climate, characterized by mild weather, distinct seasons, abundant sunshine, and plentiful rainfall, with an average annual precipitation of 1,300–1,500 mm. The mean annual temperature ranges from 12°C to 16°C, with July being the hottest month at 24°C–27°C, and January the coldest at 1.7°C–4.3°C. The frost-free period lasts 240–288 days. The ancient city is suitable for visiting year-round, but the best time to go is from April to November.