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Last Update : 6/6/2007 6:33:08 AM

Located in Zhangfang Village, Fangshan District, Zhangfang Ancient Battle Tunnel lies 80 kilometers (49.7 miles) from the city's center. The tunnel was discovered by chance in 1991, and is the only known underground military facility in Beijing. It was built during the reign of Emperor Song Zhenzong (968-1022), the third emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

Last Update : 6/6/2007 6:33:21 AM

The battle tunnel is 4 meters (13.1 feet) deep, 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) high and 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide. The full length of the great underground tunnel is 1,500 meters (1,640 yards); 400 meters (437.4 yards) of the tunnel have been restored. The layout and detailed arrangement of this military tunnel were surprisingly advanced for its era; the tunnel houses backrooms, weapon rooms and military headquarters. Usually backrooms were used for the soldiers to take cover in the case of a surprise attack. Weapon rooms (as the name indicates) were used to store the many varieties of weapons used in ancient China. The lamp-stands which are located on either side of the tunnel cast an air of mystery on this underground stronghold.

Last Update : 6/6/2007 6:34:25 AM

Like most of the ancient Chinese military tunnels, Zhangfang Ancient Battle Tunnel allowed warriors to attack and defend themselves with as much freedom as possible. In this sense it served as a magic weapon for almost 400 years until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Now the tunnel is an ideal place to visit and learn about Beijing's ancient military history.

Last Update : 6/28/2007 10:51:36 PM

Zhangfang Ancient Battle Tunnel not only depicts the advanced military affairs, politics, and architecture of ancient China, but also the traditional Chinese culture of loyalty and integrity. Archaeologists speculate that this battle tunnel was designed and built by General Yang Liulang, a famous general in the Song Dynasty. His entire family remains highly respected in China for the great sacrifice they made for the empire. After all the men of the family fought to the death in the battle, their beautiful and valiant widows picked up the weapons and followed, eventually falling to the very same fate. The Yang family stands for the most valued virtue of the traditional Chinese people - loyalty to the empire.