Xingcheng Ancient City

Xingcheng, known as Ningyuan under the Ming, was a garrison town on the coastal corridor between north China and Manchuria, and its square wall circuit of about three and a half kilometres survives largely intact with four gates and corner towers, one of only four Ming city walls in China preserved to this extent. The commander Yuan Chonghuan defended it successfully against Nurhaci in 1626 using imported cannon, one of the few Ming victories of the period, and a bronze cannon from that era stands on the wall. Inside are a Confucian temple, two Ming stone archways and a drum tower at the crossroads. The town has hot springs and a beach nearby.

What you actually see

• The Ming wall circuit - three and a half kilometres of intact rampart with four gates.
• The Ming archways - two stone paifang standing in the main street.
• The drum tower - the tower at the centre of the crossroads.
• The Confucian temple - the Ming school and shrine within the walls.

When to go

May to October for the best weather; the coast is cold and windy in winter, though the hot springs suit the season. High-speed rail makes it an easy stop between Beijing and Shenyang.

Honest expectations

The interior of the walled town is partly modern with commercial streets, and restoration has been uneven. English interpretation is minimal. The town is small and half a day covers it.

Nearby

The beach and hot springs are a few kilometres east; Huludao lies southwest.