Ancient City of Xuanhua (North Xuanhua Station)

Ancient City of Xuanhua
宣化古城

North Xuanhua Station

Location: Zhonglou avenue, Xuanhua district, Zhangjiakou, Hebei province
Tel: (+86-313)3239985
Admission: free

As one of the nine towns of the Great Wall defensive system in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Ancient City of Xuanhua (Xuanhua Gucheng) used to be known as the number one government office to the west of Beijing. It had a crucial role in defending the capital city, its layout mainly consisting of three parts: the Tower of Gentiles Resisting (Qingyuan Lou), the Tower of Repressing the North (Zhenshuo Lou), and the Tower of Capital Protecting (Gongji Lou).

Also known as the Bell Tower, the Tower of Gentiles Resisting was built in 1486. The two-storey wooden structure is designed with multiple angles and eaves. Its resemblance to the Yellow Crane Tower in Central China's Hubei province in design has earned it the nickname “Second Yellow Crane Tower”. In addition, a city-guarding bell hangs in the tower which has a history of nearly 500 years. Its resonant sound can be heard as far as 20 kilometers away. A bell ringing ceremony would usually be held there in the first lunar month each year to bless a peaceful and happy new year.

As its name suggests, the Tower of Repressing the North was built to resist the northern Mongolian tribes during the early period of the Ming Dynasty. It is designed in a wooden framework with nine ridges. The plaque hanging on its northern side is the most precious treasure in the city. The inscription reads “Protective Screen of Beijing” (Shenjing Pinghan) and is in the handwriting of Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736-95). Installed with a giant drum for announcing the time and other important moments, the tower is also called “the drum tower”.

Matched with several affiliated towers, the Tower of Capital Protecting is used to symbolize the portal of Xuanhua city, playing an important role in its defensive network.