Qianzhou Ancient City – The Famous Southern Great Wall

Hujia Pond, which dates back to the Tang and Song dynasties, is a historic site in Qianzhou Ancient City. It consists of a large pond and a small pond, covering an area of 2,800 square meters. Within the small pond lies a mysterious ancient well called Anlan Well. The depth of the well is unknown, and legend says it is connected to the Wanyong River, serving as the water source for the pond. This well not only provided water for the local residents but also played a crucial role in defending Qianzhou. In 1925, during the Republic of China era, General Xiong Kewu of the Sichuan army led 100,000 troops to besiege Qianzhou Ancient City, which was defended by fewer than 500 soldiers and residents. The defenders used bricks and logs to repel the attackers, causing numerous casualties among the Sichuan forces. When the Sichuan army attempted to tunnel under the city walls and use coffins filled with explosives, they still couldn’t breach the city and were ultimately defeated. Throughout the month-long siege, the defenders relied on the water from Anlan Well for survival. To commemorate this battle, the famous Qianzhou artist Yang Weishu inscribed a poem on the well’s edge. Between the two ponds lies Qingfeng Bridge, a curved stone arch. On the right side of the bridge stands a local earth god temple, where the Tujia people – prevalent in the region – worship their deity.

Sanmenkai, or “Three Gates Open,” is a remarkable architectural feature of Qianzhou Ancient City. Unlike most “moon cities” in China, which typically have two city towers and two gates aligned opposite each other, Qianzhou’s moon city boasts three city towers and three gates arranged in a unique pattern. The main tower stands in the center, with two smaller side towers, forming a character shape resembling “品” in Chinese. The design of the main and side towers differs in height and spacing, creating a balanced and harmonious structure. This distinctive layout, known as “Three Gates Open,” has been renowned for centuries. It serves not only as a functional space for daily life, commerce, and military defense but also as a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. The thoughtful placement, grand appearance, high-quality materials, excellent craftsmanship, and sturdy construction make Sanmenkai a treasured example of ancient city design in China.

The Qianzhou Confucian Temple, built during the seventh year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, is a historic complex covering approximately 4,887 square meters. The temple features several key structures, including Minglun Hall, Wenchang Palace, Dacheng Hall, Dacheng Gate, Zhuangyuan Bridge, Lingxing Gate, and Chongsheng Shrine. At the entrance of the temple, there is an 18-meter-long screen wall, with a diamond-shaped floral window made of tiles in the center. The temple was constructed following the traditional layout of “left temple, right school,” meaning that students entered from the left and those paying respects to Confucius entered from the right.

Upon entering the temple, visitors are greeted by a four-pillar stone arch made of red sandstone, topped with lotus bud carvings. Inscribed on the horizontal plaque are the characters “Lingxing Gate,” symbolizing the recruitment of scholars and virtuous individuals. Beyond the stone gate is a semicircular pond known as the Moon Pond, with a depth of around 12 feet. A stone arch bridge called the Moon Palace Bridge, also referred to as the Zhuangyuan (Top Scholar) Bridge, crosses the pond. Scholars who achieved academic success would traditionally walk across the bridge and pay homage to Confucius to express their gratitude and wish for a bright future. It was also a common belief that students crossing the bridge before an exam would achieve great success. Two towering osmanthus trees flank the bridge, symbolizing the hope of achieving high academic honors, akin to “reaching the moon and plucking osmanthus blossoms.”

The Qianzhou City Wall, also known as the “Southern Great Wall,” dates back to the 8th year of Emperor Zhengde’s reign in the Ming Dynasty (1514), when a small stone city was initially built. In the 43rd year of Emperor Wanli’s reign (1616), construction on the extended defensive wall began. In 1714, during the 53rd year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign, the small stone city was renovated, and in 1796, the Qing government allocated funds to expand the stone wall further. After Qianzhou was elevated to a directly governed administrative unit in 1797, its jurisdiction covered over 1,000 square kilometers, with the city wall stretching over 300 miles, winding along rivers and mountains. It featured 188 watchtowers and fortifications, earning the name “Southern Great Wall” due to its impressive scale and significance.