Decoding the identity of a millennium-old ancient city in Jiaxing Zicheng!

On this trip to Jiaxing, I was fortunate to encounter the Jiaxing Zicheng Ruins, which was a delightful surprise. The transformation of a city often carries a long and profound history. China's history is extensive and rich, and every historic and cultural city has its unique memories and heritage. Archaeological work is especially important to verify this history.

The discovery of the Jiaxing Zicheng Ruins is crucial for interpreting the development trajectory of this city. According to archaeological research, Zicheng was first built during the Three Kingdoms period in the third year of Huanglong of the Wu Kingdom (231 AD), making it over 1,700 years old. Even more remarkable is that this city has been continuously rebuilt and used on the same foundation to this day.

Currently, the only relatively intact structure above ground is a south gate. Although I suspect it may have been reconstructed in later periods, it still stands majestically, drawing visitors to pause. What is especially moving are the stone lions on both sides of the gate: the right one, though missing all four claws, still stands proudly; the left female lion is also heavily damaged. Both were excavated from underground and reinstalled. These details reveal the challenges and difficulties in preserving the ancient city.

The government office within Zicheng served different functions and roles in various dynasties. From the existing exhibits, one can glimpse its historical evolution and changes in function. The most striking feature is an archaeological site preserved in the center of the ruins—barely restored and displayed in its raw form, accompanied by detailed research explanations clearly marking cultural layers from the Three Kingdoms, Song and Yuan, Ming and Qing periods. This original and restrained display method is very impactful, allowing visitors to directly feel the layering of time and the depth of history.

Additionally, the Duanbentang Hall on the north side, an important building of Zicheng, is protected by a dedicated hall structure. Here, we can still clearly touch the traces left by time and feel the warmth of history.

It is worth mentioning that the Jiaxing Zicheng Ruins are open to the public for free. If you come to Jiaxing, I highly recommend visiting. Zicheng is not only a rare and relatively well-preserved government office site from ancient China but also an important physical resource for studying ancient Chinese urban systems and Jiaxing's local history. It witnesses Jiaxing's urban changes over a thousand years and silently tells the unique charm of Wu culture, Yue style, and the water town green capital. Here, history is no longer abstract but a tangible, perceptible, and resonant reality.

Post by Scarlett Walker | Oct 20, 2025