When we think of ancient capitals, many people immediately think of cities like Luoyang, Xi’an, or Nanjing, which are still highly regarded. However, there is a place that was once a capital of six dynasties, vibrant with life, where poets and scholars gathered, and the sound of Buddhist chants filled the air.
Today, this place is nothing more than rural fields and unremarkable earth mounds. There are no palaces, no high platforms, and no bustling markets. This place is Yecheng, located in present-day Hebei Province.
How did this city, once a bustling capital, meet such a fate? Why didn’t it thrive like other ancient capitals?
From Border Town to Flourishing Capital
Yecheng’s beginnings were modest. In the 7th century BC, the Duke of Qi built a city near the Zhang River, primarily as a military outpost. It wasn’t until the Warring States period that the city began to gain significance.
A key figure in this transformation was Ximen Bao, who served as the county magistrate. Upon his arrival, he discovered that the locals were engaged in a superstitious practice, where young girls were sacrificed in the river in the name of worshipping a river god. Ximen Bao saw through the deception and exposed the corrupt leaders behind the ritual. He further improved the region by overseeing the construction of 12 irrigation channels, transforming the area into fertile farmland.
From that point on, Yecheng began to prosper. Once a region with abundant food, it became a place where power and influence could flourish. Fast forward to the late Eastern Han Dynasty, where warlords rose to power. After defeating Yuan Shao, Cao Cao moved his base to Yecheng.
Why Yecheng? It was a strategically significant location, controlling the northern border while also being centrally located along the Yellow River. Furthermore, it had the grain resources to support an army, making it a key military hub.
Cultural Flourishing
In addition to its military importance, Yecheng became a cultural center. Cao Cao constructed the famous Copper Sparrow Tower, a monumental structure that offered expansive views of the surrounding area.
The tower became a gathering spot for intellectuals and poets. Some of the most renowned writers of the era, including Cao Cao’s son Cao Pi, would gather here, producing what became known as the Jian’an literature, a hallmark of Chinese literary history. Yecheng, during this period, was like a grand cultural salon, fostering literary and artistic growth.
This cultural climate led to the development of a distinctive literary style known as “Jian’an style,” which is still considered one of the most important contributions to Chinese literature.
Yecheng’s significance didn’t fade after the fall of Cao Wei. Successive regimes such as the Later Zhao, Ruan Wei, and Former Yan all chose Yecheng as their capital. During the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi periods, Yecheng reached its zenith. The city expanded to cover more than 20 square kilometers, with a population of over 500,000. At this time, Yecheng’s urban planning was more advanced than that of cities like Luoyang and Chang’an.
The city was well-organized, with clear distinctions between the palace, government offices, markets, and military quarters. It resembled a chessboard in its layout, showcasing the advanced urban planning of the time.
The Fall of Yecheng
However, Yecheng’s fortunes turned after the fall of the Northern Qi. In 577 AD, the Northern Zhou army captured the city, though it remained a vital regional hub. Three years later, a significant upheaval occurred. Yang Jian, a power-hungry official, sought to consolidate power and staged a coup against his emperor. He saw Yecheng as a symbol of opposition and ordered its destruction to prevent any future rebellion.
A fierce fire consumed the city for an entire month, reducing the Copper Sparrow Tower to ashes, along with over 4,000 Buddhist temples and all the other buildings. The city was left in ruins, and the once-thriving capital was abandoned. As the Zhang River shifted course and the city’s canals were no longer maintained, the remnants of Yecheng were buried beneath layers of mud and silt.
Rediscovery of Yecheng
It wasn’t until the 1950s that Yecheng began to reveal its secrets. Archaeologists discovered the city’s walls and numerous artifacts, leading to a renewed interest in its history. In 2012, an even more significant discovery was made: thousands of Buddhist statues were unearthed, many with intricate carvings and some still bearing traces of their original paint.
Today, remnants of Yecheng’s once-glorious past still stand. The ruins of the Copper Sparrow Tower remain, with a height of 12 meters, offering a glimpse of the grandeur that once was. The site of the Zhu Ming Gate, now just a foundation, measures an impressive 41 meters wide, surpassing the grandeur of Beijing’s Forbidden City gates.
Yecheng may have been destroyed, but its culture, architectural prowess, and artistic achievements have transcended time. Standing at the ruins, one can feel the echoes of its past and the resilience of its people.
Conclusion
Though Yecheng’s physical remnants may be mostly gone, the spirit of the city lives on in the annals of Chinese history. Its contributions to literature, culture, and urban planning continue to influence modern China. The lessons of Yecheng remind us that even in the face of destruction, the legacies of great civilizations persist in unexpected ways.
References:
- Archaeological reports on Yecheng, 2012
- History of the Jian’an period and its cultural significance
