平遥古城墙

明清城墙范例

相传平遥古城墙始建于2700年前，现周长6.4公里的砖石城墙为明洪武三年（1370年）扩建、改造而成。外观略呈方形，东、西、北三面俱直，唯南墙蜿蜒，形似“神龟”，真是“龟前戏水，山水朝阳，城之攸建，依此为胜”。1986年列入全国重点文物保护单位。

古城墙高10米，宽3—6米，东南隅有文昌阁、魁星楼，东城墙顶部有点将台。城墙上72堞楼，3000垛口，寓孔子的三千弟子，七十二贤人。蕴含丰富儒家文化内涵。

古城墙集防御功能、文化功能于一身，体现了明清时期中国北方城池典型特点，承载厚重的历史文明，是平遥古城重要的载体。

PINGYAO ANCIENT CITY WALL

MING AND QING DYNASTIES EXAMPLE OF CITY WALL

The legend has it that Pingyao Ancient City Wall was originally constructed 2700 years ago. In the 3 rd year (1370) of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, the original city of Pingyao was expanded and reconstructed to the ancient city of Pingyao in stock. Horizontally seen, the Ancient City Wall, 6.4km around, is square-shaped. On the east, west, and north of the city, the walls are built straight. Only on the south, the meandering wall is built along the Zhongdu River. It’s said that the city was built as a place of interest on the basis of the turtle that was playing with water in front of it and of the mountains and water which face the sun. The City Ancient City Wall is about 10 meters high and 3-6 meters wide on top. On the southeast corner of the city wall are constructed one astronomy tower and one loft for Wenchang, a god in charge of culture in Taoism. On the eastern city wall is the General Dispatching Platform. The 3000 crenels and 72 watch towers on the walls symbolize, respectively, the 3000 disciples of Confucius and 72 saints.

The Ancient City Wall reveals the typical features of the ancient cities in North China in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and has rich cultural connotation of Confucianism through combination of the defending works with the cultural function. It is an important part of Pingyao Ancient City, the World cultural Heritage.