The Jiangnan Great Wall possesses an architecture that is considered a model of the Great Wall and similar works.
In the North, there is a famous Great Wall, but few people know that in the historical city of Linhai (Thai Chau, Zhejiang) there is also a similar construction, called “Jiangnan Great Wall”. Because it is located in the south, the wall is surrounded by lush trees, thus enhancing its magnificence.
Jiangnan Great Wall, also known as Taizhou City Wall or Jiangnan Battaling , was built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, more than 1,600 years ago today and underwent many embellishments. The total length of the citadel was 6,280 meters, but today only 4,730 meters remain. The work starts from Lam Thang Mon in the east, down the slopes of Bac Co mountain, winding to Yen Ha floor, through steep cliffs on the east bank of Linh Giang river, to the west of Can Son mountain. The whole citadel was as massive as a dragon winding on the top of the mountain.
It was once praised by ancient architectural researcher Luo Zhewen as a model of the Great Wall of the North and other great walls in China.
In June 2011, Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology conducted an archeology of the city wall. The results indicate that the wall was enlarged during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt during the Song, Ming and Qing Dynasties.
In winter, the snowfalls in Linhai create a rare sight in the Jiangnan Great Wall.
The white snow mixed with the green of the forest creates a beautiful winter picture.
In June 2011, Jiangnan Great Wall was announced by the State Council as a national key cultural relic. In November 2012, the city walls including the Jiangnan Great Wall were included in the preliminary list of World Cultural Heritage in China.