Did the beacon atop Yanqing 13 Beacon Tower ever really warn of danger? We stand before its imposing remains today, a silent sentinel by the Chaobai River. Built during the Ming Dynasty, this tower was more than just a signal fire. It was a vital link in a chain of communication between Yanqing City and the nearby garrison at Liubinbu. Originally a robust structure of rammed earth and brick, the tower rose approximately 18 meters high, commanding a view of the surrounding landscape. Its construction, likely similar to other beacon towers in the region, included a roofed platform at the top, surrounded by protective walls. This was where the beacon fires blazed, warning of approaching threats. Restoration work began in March of last year. During the process, something remarkable was discovered. Just five meters east of the tower, workers unearthed a smaller structure, also made of rammed earth and brick. Could this be a subsidiary beacon, working in concert with the main tower? Similar paired towers exist elsewhere, such as at Jiuzhenkou in Liaoning, although in that case, the two towers stand side-by-side. The purpose of this smaller structure remains a mystery. Its original form and function are unclear. For now, it’s being preserved in its current state. Further research may reveal its secrets and shed more light on the network of communication and defense that protected this region in centuries past.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to