Tumubao, Military fortress in Huailai County, China
Tumubao is an earth and brick fortress in Huailai County that extends about 500 meters from north to south and 1000 meters from east to west. The remaining walls reach approximately 7 meters high and were built as part of the Great Wall's defensive system.
The fortress was built during the Ming Dynasty and played a key role in a major military conflict that took place in 1449. That year, Oirat forces attacked and defeated a large army, marking a turning point in Ming military history.
The Xianzhong Temple located on the grounds honors fallen officers and shows how this place served as a site of remembrance in Ming times. Visitors today can see how the temple still functions as a space where the past is observed and remembered.
The fortress ruins are located about 10 kilometers east of Huailai County town, positioned between other defensive installations along the Great Wall network. The site is accessible for walking and offers views of the surrounding landscape, making it suitable for visitors exploring the area.
The fortress has an unusual boat-shaped ground plan, and only the southern and western sections of the original Ming walls survive today. These remains show how time has gradually altered the structure of the fortification.
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