Weishan [Dali]

In the past, Wei Mountain was called Xielong or Menghua. County, prefecture or government agency was ever set in Wei Mountain. In Tang Dynasty, it was the birthplace of Nanzhao State and the capital of early Nanzhao State. In Ming and Qing Dynasties, local aboriginal administrative officer surnamed by Zuo by surname of Yi nationality governed Wei Mountain for over 500 years and it became one of the three large local aboriginal administrative offices. During this period, as human culture began to be prosperous, it became one of the 4 ※ famous cultural states § granted by Qing government. In memory of its pomp, the Documentary Tower Building was built in the county. In 1954, Menghua was renamed Weishan County with its first use by the State Department. And 1956, Weishan Yi-Minority Autonomous County was set up.

Weishan ancient city began to be built in Yuan Dynasty, and it was expanded into Menghua Prefecture and Menghua guardian city. In Ming Dynasty, the City of Wei Mountain was like a seal and had four gates (east, west, south and north), with their respective name Zhongwu Gate, Weiyuan Gate, Yingxun Gate, and Gongchen Gate. In the center of the city, Wenbi Tower was built like a handle of the seal. Nowadays, the Chinese chessboard-like structure built 600 years ago has been completely preserved in the Weishan city. In the center, stands the Documentary Tower Building, around which 4 main streets extend to 4 directions (east, south, west and north) and with which small lanes are interweaved. Along the main streets, the civil structural houses of Ming and Qing Dynasties have been well kept. Therefore, it can be seen that it is a well-kept ancient city of the structure of the town and the style of houses. Weishan ancient city began to be built in Yuan Dynasty, and it was expanded into Menghua Prefecture and Menghua guardian city. In Ming Dynasty, the City of Wei Mountain was like a seal and had four gates (east, west, south and north), with their respective name Zhongwu Gate, Weiyuan Gate, Yingxun Gate, and Gongchen Gate. In the center of the city, Wenbi Tower was built like a handle of the seal. Nowadays, the Chinese chessboard-like structure built 600 years ago has been completely preserved in the Weishan city. In the center, stands the Documentary Tower Building, around which 4 main streets extend to 4 directions (east, south, west and north) and with which small lanes are interweaved. Along the main streets, the civil structural houses of Ming and Qing Dynasties have been well kept. Therefore, it can be seen that it is a well-kept ancient city of the structure of the town and the style of houses.

Many buildings in the ancient city were destroyed in the flames of war. Among the existent one, the famous include Gongchen Tower (Northern Gatetower) and Wenbi Tower. Many buildings in the ancient city were destroyed in the flames of war. Among the existent one, the famous include Gongchen Tower (Northern Gatetower) and Wenbi Tower.

The 3-storeyed Gongchen Tower was built in the 22nd year of Ming Hongwu (in 1389AD). It was rebuilt into 2-storeyed one in the 2nd year of Ming Yongli (in 1650), which existed up to now. It was built on the over 2 zhang brick-stone rampart, with civil structure. It is majestic and spectacular as it is 23.4m high, 41.7m long, 24.8m wide and is supported by 28 huge columns. Under the south eave of the Tower, was hung the huge plaque written by Tong-ji Kang of Menghua Prefecture in the 36th year of Qing Qianlong (in 1785) and under the north eave, was the plaque by Tong-ji Huang Dahe of Menghua Independent Sub-prefecture. On the Tower, the landscape of mountains and rivers of Wei Mountain plateau comes in sight. The 3-storeyed Gongchen Tower was built in the 22nd year of Ming Hongwu (in 1389AD). It was rebuilt into 2-storeyed one in the 2nd year of Ming Yongli (in 1650), which existed up to now. It was built on the over 2 zhang brick-stone rampart, with civil structure. It is majestic and spectacular as it is 23.4m high, 41.7m long, 24.8m wide and is supported by 28 huge columns. Under the south eave of the Tower, was hung the huge plaque written by Tong-ji Kang of Menghua Prefecture in the 36th year of Qing Qianlong (in 1785) and under the north eave, was the plaque by Tong-ji Huang Dahe of Menghua Independent Sub-prefecture. On the Tower, the landscape of mountains and rivers of Wei Mountain plateau comes in sight.

Wenbi Tower built in the period of Ming Hongwu was completely destroyed. The existent Tower was rebuilt by Du Wenxiu Uprising Army in the period of Qing Xianfeng. Built on the brick-stone city-gate of the crossroads, it is the center of Wei Mountain ancient city. Its attic's eaves being curved upward, straight and high, Wenbi Tower was named Ningxiu Tower (Beauty Contained Tower) in the past. Beside the two towers, there are some buildings of Ming and Qing Dynasties, such as Confucian Temple, Guandi Temple (Temple of Guan Yu), Mammon Temple, Wenhua Academy, Sun Palace, Cold Spring Nunnery. These technically excellent, structurally precise and beautifully carved buildings represent the flourish of the Weishan ancient city and its advanced architecture. Wenbi Tower built in the period of Ming Hongwu was completely destroyed. The existent Tower was rebuilt by Du Wenxiu Uprising Army in the period of Qing Xianfeng. Built on the brick-stone city-gate of the crossroads, it is the center of Wei Mountain ancient city. Its attic * s eaves being curved upward, straight and high, Wenbi Tower was named Ningxiu Tower (Beauty Contained Tower) in the past. Beside the two towers, there are some buildings of Ming and Qing Dynasties, such as Confucian Temple , Guandi Temple (Temple of Guan Yu), Mammon Temple, Wenhua Academy, Sun Palace, Cold Spring Nunnery. These technically excellent, structurally precise and beautifully carved buildings represent the flourish of the Weishan ancient city and its advanced architecture.

The Weishan ancient city is also of natural beauty. ※an isolated city surrounded with one river are two of 16 beautiful places in Menghua's history. In the west of the Wei Mountain ancient city, the Xizi River, which was named the Yanggua River in the past, is the source of the Red River. On the top of Weibao Mountain and when overlooking the ancient city, one can see the zigzagging Yanggua River flowing slowly southward, just like a ※melon vine§, with the villages along the banks like the ※melon fruit§, which forms a beautiful picture of ※melon§. And in fact, there was a tradition that the plants of melon such as white gourd and pumpkin were grown on its banks. During the harvest time, the melons all over were like shining jades under the sunshine. So it was depicted . ※An isolated city surrounded by one river§ means that the Yanggua River embraced the Weishan ancient city just like a curved arm. Han, Yi, Hui, Bai, Miao, Lili nationalities lived in this region with various national customs of their own. Among them, ※song competition of Yi nationality§ and Islamic culture are the most characteristic. The Weishan ancient city is also of natural beauty. ※ an isolated city surrounded with one river § are two of 16 beautiful places in Menghua * s history. In the west of the Wei Mountain ancient city, the Xizi River, which was named the Yanggua River in the past, is the source of the Red River. On the top of Weibao Mountain and when overlooking the ancient city, one can see the zigzagging Yanggua River flowing slowly southward, just like a ※ melon vine §, with the villages along the banks like the ※ melon fruit §, which forms a beautiful picture of ※ melon §. And in fact, there was a tradition that the plants of melon such as white gourd and pumpkin were grown on its banks. During the harvest time, the melons all over were like shining jades under the sunshine. So it was depicted. ※ An isolated city surrounded by one river § means that the Yanggua River embraced the Weishan ancient city just like a curved arm. Han, Yi, Hui, Bai, Miao, Lili nationalities lived in this region with various national customs of their own. Among them, ※ song competition of Yi nationality § and Islamic culture are the most characteristic.