Ming Dynasty City Wall of Gangyang

The old city of Gangyang is located in Gangyang Town, Yuanping County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. Gangyang Town was the seat of the former Gang County. In the third year of Yuanding in the Western Han Dynasty (114 BC), Yuanping County was established. In the second year of Yongxing in the Northern Wei Dynasty (410 AD), Yuanping County was renamed Shicheng County. In the tenth year of Kaihuang in the Sui Dynasty (590 AD), Shicheng County was abolished and Pingkou County was moved from the present-day Dingxiang County to Gangyang Town. In the second year of the Sui Dynasty (606 AD), Pingkou County was renamed Gang County. In December 1958, Gang County was renamed Yuanping County, and the county seat was moved to Yuanping Town. In 1993, Yuanping was changed from a county to a city. As the county seat for more than 1,300 years, the old city of Gangyang has a long history and cultural heritage. It still has national key cultural relics protection sites such as the Gangyang Confucian Temple and Puji Bridge, as well as several city gates. Regarding the old city of Gang County, the Ming Jiajing edition of "Gang County Chronicles" records: "The foundation is grand, the gates and alleys are still there, and the current city government is in its western corner." The Qing Dynasty county chronicles briefly describe: "It was built at the end of the Yongjia period of Emperor Huai of Jin Dynasty, facing Tuoshui River in the east and spanning the current city in the west. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Chahan Zhiyuan built its western corner due to the division of the old city." Today, the north gate "Ningyuan" and the south gate "Jingming" city gates remain. Although the city walls are no longer as strong as they used to be, they are still simple and solemn, showing the glory of the past. Ticket information: Free Opening hours: All day Transportation information: Drive 18 kilometers north from Yuanping City to arrive.