From this vantage point stories unfold. The tale of the \u6cbf\u6cb3\u57ce\u5357\u5c71\u70fd\u706b\u53f01 beacon tower begins in the Ming Dynasty. This tower standing tall once played a vital role.
\u6cbf\u6cb3\u57ceu5357u5c71\u70fd\u706b\u53f01 was part of a sophisticated communication network. It relayed military messages across vast distances. Imagine guards scanning the horizon for approaching enemies. They used smoke signals during the day. At night they used fire. The number of smoke puffs or firebrands indicated the enemy’s size. One puff meant about one hundred foes.
Beacon towers like \u6cbf\u6cb3\u57ce\u5357\u5c71\u70fd\u706b\u53f01 were strategically placed. They sat atop mountains for optimal visibility. Neighboring towers could easily see each other. This ensured quick message transmission. The \u6cbf\u6cb3\u57ce\u5357\u5c71\u70fd\u706b\u53f01 helped defend Beijing.
The \u6cbf\u6cb3\u57ce fortress itself has an interesting history. Built in 1578 during the Ming Dynasty it was a stronghold. It stood between Beijing and the northern frontier. The Yongding River runs nearby. Hence the name \u201cYanhecheng\u201d which means riverside city. Huangchao Ridge and Qingshuijian Mountain surround the fortress.
\u6cbf\u6cb3\u57ce once housed soldiers and villagers. Now the fort is a village called Yanhecheng Village. Some villagers still live within the old fortress. The 500-year-old fort has remnants. You can see the city wall old houses and the west gate. There is also one tower and a small section of the Great Wall.
The west gate is well-preserved. It is made of cobblestones and slabs. A marble tablet above the gate reads u201c\u6c38\u80dc\u95e8u201d. This means a gate of lasting victory. The gate tower was destroyed. The city moat dried up.
The main street of the old fort village is made of marble slabs. It links the west and east gates. Soldiers and villagers once walked this street. \u6cbf\u6cb3\u57ceu5357\u5c71\u70fd\u706b\u53f01 is a testament to China’s military past. The beacon tower’s legacy lives on. It reminds us of ancient communication methods. The towers protected the empire. They warned of impending danger.