Dijicheng Castle
砥洎城
A Ming-dynasty water fortress surrounded on three sides by the Qin River. Its walls are built from discarded iron-smelting crucibles, which makes it truly one of a kind.
Dijicheng is located in Runcheng Town, Yangcheng County. It was built during the Chongzhen era of the Ming dynasty. Three sides of the fortress face the Qin River, and its shape resembles a pillar standing in midstream, which gave it its name. Yangcheng was once a major ironworking center. The outer walls of Dijicheng use large numbers of crucibles discarded after iron smelting, stacked layer upon layer into a honeycomb-like pattern known as the 'crucible wall.' The walls are both sturdy and visually striking, and this kind of construction is extremely rare in China. Inside, winding lanes lead past the Wenchang Pavilion, the Shancheng Yilan Tower, and several Ming and Qing courtyard residences. The site is small and rarely crowded, and it is the most distinctive of the fortress villages along the Qin River. Admission fees are subject to on-site information. Allow about 1 hour for a visit. It is roughly 10 km from Huangcheng Xiangfu.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00