All that remains now of the Badong County site of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) are some stones, bricks and tiles, but its better-protected overall arrangement and buildings are considered more valuable since there are fewer unearthed large Song Dynasty ruins. Kou Zhun, prime minister and famous judge of the Northern Song Dynasty, began his official career in this small county as its head and made the county well known. This historic cultural county hit the top 10 greatest archeological discoveries in China of 2002.

 The Ancient County Government Office

Taking a boat along the Yangtze River , a branch of the river works its way through the northern bank. Above it lies the site of the ancient town of Badong.

From the river, a twisting footpath creeps across the remains of an old stone townhouse, slate roads and many barrel drains. A road travels south from what was once a government office area down to the river dockside. Kou Zhun more than likely used this as a landing platform during his post as town official.

Archeologists can still outline the ancient Badong county seat: There was a group of official buildings at over 1,600 square meters. In front of an official gate there remains a slope with some distorted clay patterns whose identity remains unconfirmed, according to archeologists.

The sidesteps located along both sides of the slope have now disappeared and there are two stone columns set 8 meters apart. Archeologists suggest this was once the gate to the government office.

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