In March 2022, the Kaifu District of Changsha announces that the Ancient City Wall Museum will be built as a new cultural tourism landmark in Changsha. Discovered in 2011, the overlaid 24-meter ruins were the only ancient city walls found in China that had been built, repaired, and expanded from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-979) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
Witnessing the vicissitudes of Changsha, the ancient city walls are of significant historic, artistic, and scientific value. Chinese characters, such as “Changsha” and “Zhongyijun (Loyalty Army)”, engraved on some bricks and the repairs of the walls have proved Changsha’s battle with the Mongolian army. The layout and materials of the bricks also show the evolution of techniques and aesthetics in different dynasties. Moreover, the walls are good materials to study the course of the Xiang River and the changes of the city’s landforms as it was built along the river.
The ancient city walls will retain their authenticity with repairs, renovations, and minimal restoration. The museum built in situ will include four areas: the entrance hall, the main exhibition hall, the display hall, and the VR experience area. The museum will help people to learn more about the ancient city walls and Changsha’s history.
Translated by 莫雨婷，蒋凤仪，王琼