2024 Cultural "Summer" Tour (XIX): Iron Wall Ancient Fortress - Dili City.

Dili City is located in Runcheng Town, Yangcheng County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. The earliest buildings in the city can be traced back to the Song and Yuan Dynasties. The total area is 37,000 square meters, with a circumference of 704 meters. It faces the Qin River to the north and is surrounded by water on three sides. It is shaped like a peninsula and is very exquisite. Di: means "block". Diji City was built on a large whetstone, shaped like a turtle, swimming upstream, which is consistent with the original meaning of "Di". Ji: The original meaning is gravy. Diji City is surrounded by water on three sides and faces Qin River to the north. The river water nourishes this vibrant land with its broad mind and rich nutrients. City: Diji City has complete military functions and various temples, and it has the functions of a city. The city wall of Dili City is very distinctive and is known as a solid wall of steel. The outer side of the city wall is covered with blue bricks, just like other city walls. The building materials of the inner wall mainly come from the crucibles discarded after local iron smelting. From the inside of the city wall, you can clearly see the special structure of crucibles and stone bars mixed together. The densely and neatly arranged crucibles make people feel the "honeycomb city wall" firsthand. The city wall is about 12 meters high, and the part facing the water on the west side is as high as 20 meters. The city wall facing the water is divided into two layers in a ladder shape according to the terrain, and there is a ramp connecting the two layers. In Dili City, the houses are of different heights, and the narrow alleys are densely connected like a pearl net, leading to all directions. The courtyards in the city are connected by corridors that can only accommodate one person. The courtyards in each block are connected to each other and lead to all directions, forming a complete internal defense and escape system. Dili City, a large-scale, fully functional castle with ingenious design and grandeur, shines a unique light in history and is a shining pearl among the ancient castles of Taihang.