The Stone City () is the site of an ancient fortified city within
Nanjing
Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and the second largest city in the East China region. T ...
,
Jiangsu
Jiangsu (; ; pinyin: Jiāngsū, Postal romanization, alternatively romanized as Kiangsu or Chiangsu) is an Eastern China, eastern coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province of the China, People's Republic of China. It is o ...
province, China. Almost all of the original city is gone; all that remains are portions of the massive city wall.
History
The original town was built during the
Warring States period
The Warring States period () was an era in History of China#Ancient China, ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded ...
(475-221 BC) by people from the
Chu kingdom. The city was expanded during the
Later Han Dynasty and a wall, about in circumference, was built around the Chu-era city.
[Anecdotes of Nanjing published by Nanjing Normal University Press Author: Chen Jimin on page 14-17]
Sun Quan
Sun Quan (, Chinese: 孫權) (183 – 21 May 252), courtesy name Zhongmou (), posthumously known as Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of the Eastern Wu dynasty, one of the Three Kingdoms of China. He inherited control of the warlord regime es ...
(182-252), ruler of the
Wu Kingdom, had what is now called Stone City built on a hill overlooking the
Yangtze
The Yangtze or Yangzi ( or ; ) is the longest river in Asia, the third-longest in the world, and the longest in the world to flow entirely within one country. It rises at Jari Hill in the Tanggula Mountains (Tibetan Plateau) and flows ...
. It was used for naval training by General
Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu (, ) (175–210), courtesy name Gongjin (), was a Chinese military general and strategist serving under the warlord Sun Ce in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. After Sun Ce died in the year 200, he continued serving under Sun Quan, ...
(175-210).
On a political visit to the area, the prime minister of the Shu Kingdom,
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang ( zh, t=諸葛亮 / 诸葛亮) (181 – September 234), courtesy name Kongming, was a Chinese statesman and military strategist. He was chancellor and later regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He is r ...
(181-234) described the
Qingliangshan Hill and Stone City area as "Zhongshan curling like a dragon and the Stone City crouching like a tiger".
The stone wall is all the remains from the ancient city.
[''Stone City (Shitoucheng).''](_blank)
China Internet Information Center. Retrieved May 16, 2014. The ancient city is strongly enough associated with Nanjing that Nanjing itself is sometimes referred to as "Stone City".
Park
One of the most famous of its landmarks is the "Ghost-Faced Wall". The
ancient city wall from Caochang Gate () to Qingliang Gate () has been strengthened to prevent it from collapsing.
Transportation
The area is accessible within walking distance north west of
Hanzhongmen Station of
Nanjing Metro.
See also
*
Defence Park (Nanjing)
Defence Park or Nanjing National Defense Park is a national defense education park located in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. In April 2014, for instance, it held an exhibit of models of the Chinese naval fleet.
The National Defense Education Hall is on ...
, within Stone City
*
Qingliangshan Park
Qingliangshan Park (), is a park located in the Gulou District, Nanjing, China. It sits on Qingliang Hill, which is more than high and in radius.
History
Chinese Zen Master Fayan Wenyi (885–958), and founder of the Fayan school, taught ...
, adjacent to Stone City
References
Fortifications in China
Buildings and structures in Nanjing
Tourist attractions in Nanjing
Chu (state)
Eastern Wu
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