#Ancient Lingtai Platform Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jul)
Historical Sites
Address:
In Lingtai County, Pingliang City, Gansu
Recommended sightseeing time:
1 hour
Exploring the Ancient City of Mixu Kingdom
The ruins of Mixu Kingdom are located in Gucheng Village, Baili Town, Lingtai County, Gansu Province. The ancient city of Mixu is square-shaped, with an area of about 220 acres (150,000 square meters).
Mixu Kingdom was established by the descendants of the Ji surname of the Yellow Emperor and was named after the nearby Mixu Mountain. Mixu Mountain, also known as Wu Mountain, is a small hill at the eastern end of the Qianshan Mountain Range, which stretches for hundreds of miles and is located near the Lindaxi River.
🌟According to historical records, Mixu Kingdom was a powerful tribe in the northwest of Zhouyuan during the late Shang Dynasty, with its capital located in Mixu City (now the town area of Baili Town, Lingtai County). During the Shang Dynasty, Mixu Kingdom had become a significant slave state in the Jing River basin. It was later destroyed by King Wen of Zhou in 1057 BC. After King Wen's victory over Mixu, he built the ancient Lingtai to celebrate the victory and share the joy with the people.
Today in Baili Town, you can still see the ruins of the ancient city of Mixu and the tomb of Duke Kang of Mixu.
✅Mixu Drum, the Mixu Kingdom used the "Mixu Drum" as a token to command the surrounding states. The Mixu Drum was a token of authority bestowed upon Mixu Kingdom by the Shang King. The Mixu Drum was the reason for King Wen's campaign against Mixu. After obtaining the Mixu Drum, King Wen beat the drum at the foot of Jing Mountain on his way back, and people from all around came to build the Lingtai.
✅There is a "Tang Pagoda Tree" on the palace city ruins, which is over 1200 years old. Its roots are coiled like dragons, strong and majestic, with lush branches and leaves, making it a spectacular sight and a witness to history. According to records, it was planted in 738 BC when King Wukang Li Yuanliang served as the military governor of Longyou and assisted in the restoration of Baili City and the recuperation of the army.
✅The largest Western Zhou bronze tripod in Gansu Province was unearthed from the Western Zhou tomb group in Dongshan, Baili Town.
The ruins of the ancient palace city of Mixu Kingdom are roughly located in the campuses of today's Baili Middle School and Central Primary School. A once powerful slave state has evolved over time, and now two modern schools stand on its ruins. This may be a coincidence of historical and cultural development.
James Cooper Benjamin
Guling Platform｜The First Platform for Sacrificial Rites in China
Guling Platform is located in Lingtai County, Pingliang City, Gansu Province. It was first built in the 11th century BC during the Shang Dynasty. After King Wen of Zhou conquered the Mishu Kingdom in the Baili Town area of present-day Lingtai County, he built it to offer sacrifices to heaven, demonstrate virtue, and celebrate with the people. The 'Lingtai' has a long history. During the Tang Dynasty, it was officially designated as the county name.
🌟 The original 'Lingtai' faced south and was built with rammed earth. Historically, 'Lingtai' was destroyed twice and rebuilt twice. In the 23rd year of the Republic of China (1934), the then county magistrate Zhang Dongye and Lingtai native military general Yang Ziheng presided over the reconstruction of 'Lingtai'. It was rebuilt with blue bricks, with a base width of 12.3 meters and a height of 12.3 meters. The platform was divided into two levels, with a Bagua Pavilion on top and a statue of King Wen of Zhou inside. Legend has it that when it was completed, two red-crowned cranes flew from the east, circled the platform for three days, and perched on the ancient cypress of the Wenwang Temple, causing a sensation in the county and being regarded as an auspicious sign. At that time, many high-ranking officials and local military and political celebrities such as Lin Sen, Sun Ke, Li Zongren, Duan Qirui, Yang Hucheng, and Fu Zuoyi inscribed and erected steles to congratulate, giving 'Lingtai' a renewed appearance.
✅ The current 'Lingtai' was completed on December 28, 1985. It still faces south, with a base width of 18 meters and a height of 33 meters. The platform is divided into three levels, with a large hall on the top level housing a statue of King Wen of Zhou. The walls on both sides are painted with large murals depicting the grand scenes of King Wen's conquest of Mishu. The base corridor is a forest of steles, containing over 200 inscriptions and plaques by ancient and modern political figures. The courtyard is adorned with ancient cypresses over a hundred years old. 'Lingtai' has a long history and profound culture, and is known as 'The First Platform for Sacrificial Rites in China.'
Lingtai County, named after 'Lingtai', is a historical and cultural city in Gansu Province.
📍 Detailed address: No. 26, East Street, Lingtai County, Pingliang City, Gansu Province
🕙 Opening hours: 8:00—17:00
💰 Ticket price: Free