Ruins of Ancient City of Shuozhou
Shuozhou Ancient City (朔州古城), located in Shuocheng District (朔城区), Shuozhou City (朔州市), Shanxi Province (山西省), is one of the earliest and most well-preserved ancient city ruins in Shanxi. The city was first built during the Qin (秦) and Han (汉) dynasties, expanded in the Northern Qi (北齐), and renovated in the Yuan (元) and Ming (明) dynasties.
Relying on its unique cultural heritage, Shuozhou has carried out reconstruction, restoration, and renovation projects to preserve its original layout. Today, it has become a prosperous living city that blends a millennium of historical charm with the modern urban spirit.
The ancient city stretches 1,800 meters north to south, 1,600 meters east to west, with a total circumference of 6,800 meters and an area of 2.88 million square meters. The surviving city wall stands 8 meters high, with a base width of about 15 meters and a top width of 10 meters.
History of the Ancient City
According to Shuozhou Gazetteer (朔州志), the city wall was first built in the 8th year of Tianbao (天保, 557) during the Northern Qi dynasty. The rammed-earth wall had a circumference of 9 li and 13 zhang (about 4.6 km). It continued to be used through the Sui (隋), Tang (唐), Liao (辽), and Jin (金) dynasties, lasting for more than 1,400 years. The city was expanded on the site of the Qin and Han-era Mayi City (马邑城).
In the late Yuan (元末) and early Ming (明初) dynasties, the northwest half of the wall was removed, while the southeastern corner of the Northern Qi wall was used to rebuild the city. In the 3rd year of the Hongwu era (洪武, 1370), the wall was rebuilt and reinforced with bricks.
Throughout history, Shuozhou was a key frontier battleground:
- In the Western Han, General Han Xin (韩信) surrendered at Mayi (马邑) and General Zhou Bo (周勃) retaliated with a bloody battle.
- The famous “Mayi Plot” (马邑之谋) aimed to ambush the Xiongnu.
- At the end of the Sui dynasty, Liu Wuzhou (刘武周) rose in rebellion in Mayi.
- In the Tang dynasty, fierce battles with the Turks took place here.
- In the Song dynasty, General Yang Ye (杨业) fought against the Khitans.
- During the Ming dynasty, the Tumed Mongols launched raids.
- In the Qing dynasty, the peasant rebel Xiong Liu (熊六) led an uprising here.
These events highlight Shuozhou’s strategic importance as a military stronghold on China’s northern frontier.
Architectural Features
The Northern Qi city was rectangular in shape. The surviving walls stand about 8 meters tall, with a base width of 15 meters and a top width of 10 meters. The upper structures of the walls are no longer visible.
During the late Yuan and early Ming, a new city was built within the southwestern corner of the Northern Qi city. At that time, the walls stood 12 meters tall with battlements of 2 meters, making a total height of 14 meters. The wall’s circumference was 4,000 meters and featured:
- Four barbican gates (瓮城)
- Four corner towers (角楼)
- Twelve watchtowers (敌楼)
- Four gate towers (门楼)
- Four beacon towers (烟墩)
The four gates were named:
- East: Wende Gate (文德门)
- West: Wuding Gate (武定门)
- South: Cheng’en Gate (承恩门)
- North: Zhensa i Gate (镇塞门)
Today, only the southern and western walls, gates, and barbican remain, while most other structures have been lost. However, the original street layout inside the city has been largely preserved.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for walking along the ancient walls.
- Exploration Time: Allow 2–3 hours to explore the city walls, gates, and old streets.
- Nearby Attractions: Combine your visit with Mayi Museum (马邑博物馆) and other cultural landmarks in Shuozhou.
- Photography: The preserved gates and wall ruins provide excellent backdrops for cultural and historical photography.
- Local Culture: Walking through the old city streets offers a glimpse of both historical relics and the vibrant life of modern Shuozhou.
