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Hancheng: Home of Literature and History
 Hancheng
is a common small city for most people who have been there, as they tend to pass
by the new city center in a hurry, failing to see the ancient city lying
under the terrace (a land form caused by erosion). In fact, the new
buildings in Hancheng are not worth mentioning. But, gratitude should be
expressed to those who decided to build a new city center in Hancheng, thus
leaving the well-protected ancient city, which preserves the best ancient
buildings, residential buildings, and commercial streets of the Ming and Qing
(1644-1911) eras in China, as well asnd the country's most centralized Yuan
(dynasty from 1271-1368) buildings.
In the south of the New Hancheng City, there is an ancient pagoda built
during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). The surrounding area has been developed into
a park named the Golden Pagoda Park. On top of the pagoda, one can get a good
glimpse of the lively and bustling ancient city. However, Hancheng remains
unknown to a great many people, which is quite different from the case of Pingyao,
which stands right across the Yellow
River and which has been listed as a World Heritage site.
Hancheng, which was settled as early as in 598 of the Sui
Dynasty (581-618) and gradually developed into present scale, boasts a real
long history. In 1640, a high official from Hancheng suggested that local
officials and country gentlemen give donations to change the clay walls into
brick ones.
It is a great pity that none of these walls can be found today. During the
Anti-Japanese War (World War II), the enemies kept dropping bombs upon the city.
In order to facilitate evacuation of the local residents, part of the walls were
dismantled. The remaining walls were also removed after liberation, to be
replaced by the ring road. Still, even without the city walls, the soul of the
ancient city remains.
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Hancheng
is a common small city for most people who have been there, as they tend to pass
by the new city center in a hurry, failing to see the ancient city lying
under the terrace (a land form caused by erosion). In fact, the new
buildings in Hancheng are not worth mentioning. But, gratitude should be
expressed to those who decided to build a new city center in Hancheng, thus
leaving the well-protected ancient city, which preserves the best ancient
buildings, residential buildings, and commercial streets of the Ming and Qing
(1644-1911) eras in China, as well asnd the country's most centralized Yuan
(dynasty from 1271-1368) buildings.
