Jinghai Ancient City 靖海古城

About Jinghai Ancient City

The garrison post was set up under Chaoyang county's Dani subprefecture; when Huilai county was created in 1524 it absorbed Dani, giving rise to the local saying that Jinghai city predates Huilai county itself. In 1548 local officials petitioned to build a defensive wall, and the following year the court ordered construction, which took thirteen years to finish; the wall was later repaired in 1699 and again in 1727. In 2010 the old city wall was listed in the sixth batch of Guangdong provincial-level cultural relic protection units.

The old city is laid out on an oval, elephant-shaped plan, which gives it its other name, Xiangcheng, with a cross-shaped street pattern running to four gates. The wall is built of dressed stone on both faces packed with rammed lime-earth between, topped by a wall-top road (paomadao) about four metres wide with crenellations and loopholes; each gate carried a stone plaque and was reinforced with a barbican and gate tower. Close to 600 metres of wall survive between the north and east gates, along with the east, west and north gates themselves. Inside, the streets carry traditional Chaoshan dwellings of the xiashanhu and sidianjin types and numerous ancestral halls, reflecting the many surnames, by a local official's account more than a hundred, among the descendants of soldiers garrisoned there from across the country. Among them is the Zaile Yuan Gong ancestral hall complex, begun in 1574 by the Yuan clan's eleventh-generation ancestor Zaile Gong.

What to look for

• The oval, cross-street plan that gives the old city its other name, Xiangcheng, running from four gates to a central crossing.
• The surviving stretch of stone wall, close to 600 metres between the north and east gates, with its crenellations, loopholes and roughly four-metre wall-top road.
• The east, west and north gates, each originally carrying a stone plaque and reinforced with a barbican and gate tower.
• Traditional Chaoshan dwellings inside the walls, including xiashanhu and sidianjin house types.
• The Zaile Yuan Gong ancestral hall complex, begun in 1574 by the Yuan clan's eleventh-generation ancestor Zaile Gong.

Location & getting there

Getting to Jinghai Ancient City

Identify the main visitor approach and any separately managed houses, museums or performances. Ask before entering residential spaces or photographing residents.

• Search for 靖海古城 with 揭阳市 and 惠来县.