Xiagucheng Ancient Ruins, situated at the foot of Jinggai Mountain in the southern suburbs of Huzhou City, is a significant historical site. It faces Dongtao Creek to the southeast and leans against Jinggai Mountain to the north. This location was once the county seat of Gu County during the Warring States period of the Chu State and later became Wucheng County, established by the Qin Dynasty. The name “Xiagucheng” is derived from its proximity to the creek and the surrounding water plants, which gave the city its distinctive name. The construction of Xiagucheng dates back to the 15th year of King Kaolie of Chu’s reign, which corresponds to 241 BC.
As one of the earliest and well-preserved ancient city sites in the southeast provinces of China, Xiagucheng Ancient Ruins is composed of an outer and an inner city. The outer city, often referred to as the double city, spans an area of approximately 200,000 square meters. Nestled in the southeast corner of the outer city, the inner city, also known as the suburb, covers about 80,000 square meters. The walls of Xiagucheng are made from rammed yellow soil, with heights ranging from 6 to 9 meters. The upper part of the walls is 3 to 5 meters wide, while the base varies from 20 to 30 meters wide, creating a trapezoidal cross-section. These walls contain fragments of stamped pottery, primitive celadon, and sand-mixed pottery, providing a glimpse into the city’s ancient craftsmanship.
On the nearby mountaintops, there are structures known in local folklore as ancient ‘beacon mounds.’ Modern archaeology has identified these as earthenware tombs and stone chamber tombs. Within the inner city of Xiagucheng Ancient Ruins, a commemorative wall stands as a testament to the site’s long history. This granite wall is 3 meters high and 18 meters wide, inscribed with the rich narrative of Xiagucheng.The opening hours and business status are subject to the daily opening conditions.
