Xingcheng Old Town, Protected historical site in Xingcheng, China

Xingcheng Old Town is a historical site with intact Ming Dynasty city walls surrounding the settlement, along with traditional buildings and temples. The structures from this period shape the overall character of the place.

Xingcheng Old Town, called Ningyuan in Ming times, is the most complete surviving Ming garrison town in China. Its walls, listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site in 1988, enclose the Wenmiao (1428), the two Zushi stone archways (1631 and 1638) and the bell and drum tower (1454, rebuilt 1777).

The central drum tower, first built in 1454 and rebuilt in 1777, sits on a square brick base 21 m on each side with cross-vaulted passages. The two stone archways on Yanhui Street honour the generals Zu Dashou and Zu Dale, whose names and titles are carved on them.

Visitors should plan time to explore the walls and see the various temples and buildings inside. The best access is by train from nearby cities like Huludao or Qinhuangdao.

The drum tower was first built in 1454 and rebuilt in 1777; its square brick base, 21 m on each side, has cross-vaulted passages 4.85 m wide and 3.3 m high. The two stone archways on Yanhui Street honour the brothers Zu Dashou and Zu Dale, erected in 1631 and 1638.