Xingcheng Ancient City was built in the early Ming Dynasty (1428 AD) and is located in the west of Xingcheng City. It is one of the four relatively well-preserved ancient Ming cities in China (the other three are Xi’an Ancient City, Jingzhou Ancient City in Jiangling County, and Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi Province).
In the ancient city, you can see historical sites such as the barbican, bell and drum towers, fortresses, and memorial archways. You can also visit buildings such as the Jiliao Grand Commander’s Mansion and Xingcheng Confucian Temple. Standing on the city wall, you can overlook the panoramic view of the city.
The ancient city used to be an important border defense area. General Yuan Chonghuan of the Ming Dynasty once stationed troops here and repeatedly defeated the Qing army. Today, when strolling in the ancient city, you can still faintly feel the gunpowder smoke from more than 500 years ago.
Xingcheng Ancient City is square in shape, with gray city walls. There is a city gate on each of the four sides of the city wall, namely the east, west, south, and north. Entering from the south gate (Yanhui Gate) of the ancient city and walking straight to the bell and drum tower, it is a pedestrian street. There are various small shops on both sides, selling all kinds of things.
Climbing up the mottled and thick city wall from one side of the city gate, you can overlook the semi-circular barbican outside the city gate and the whole picture inside the city. Each side of the city wall is about 800 meters long. There are fortresses built at the four corners of the city wall, where you can see the majestic Hongyi cannons.
Walking north from the south gate to the bell and drum tower, you will pass by two stone memorial archways, which were built by Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty for the Zu brothers, the generals in Liaodong.
The bell and drum tower is located in the center of the ancient city. Standing on the bell and drum tower, you can look around the ancient city in all directions. In the unearthed cultural relics exhibition hall on the second floor, you can visit local cultural relics.
Walking in the direction of the east gate (Chunhe Gate) from the bell and drum tower, you will pass by the Jiliao Grand Commander’s Mansion, which is a must-visit scenic spot in the ancient city. This was the official office built when Yuan Chonghuan was ordered to supervise Jiliao and station in Ningyuan (today’s Xingcheng). Inside the mansion, you can see restored places such as the main hall, garden, and general review platform, as well as exhibits such as official supplies and weapons.
There are also other scenic spots in the ancient city, such as Xingcheng Confucian Temple, the oldest Confucian temple in the three northeastern provinces, as well as the City God Temple, General’s Mansion, Zhou Family’s Old House, Xingcheng Museum, etc. If you are interested in history, you can buy a combined ticket for scenic spots and visit them all.
Xingcheng Ancient City is not very big. Inside, there are basically all brick and tile houses, mostly small commodity shops, as well as restaurants and seafood shops. If you don’t visit the scenic spots, it will take about 1 hour to stroll around.
Opening hours: It is open from 08:00 to 16:30 from April 15th to September 4th; and also open from 08:00 to 16:30 from September 5th to April 14th.
Preferential policies:
Children: Free for children under 1.3 meters (inclusive).
Seniors: Free for seniors over 70 years old (inclusive); half price for those between 60 years old (inclusive) and 70 years old (exclusive).
Military personnel: Free with military preferential certificates and police officer certificates.
Students: Half price for students below undergraduate level with student ID cards.
Service facilities:
Parking lot: [Xingcheng Ancient City Scenic Area Parking Lot]. Reference price: 15 yuan per time (within 2 hours).
Enjoy a visit to the scenic spot in Huludao, Liaoning, for a fee of 20 yuan per visit (for stays over 2 hours).
Address: South end of Yanhui Street, Gucheng, Xingcheng City, Liaoning Province.
Capacity: 50 spots available.
