Linhai: The Southern Great Wall

The first fortifications on the site of the future wall were built by the local ruler Xin Jing (辛景). It was a small outpost to protect against sea pirates – it was then called "Xin Fortress".

Under the Tang dynasty, Linhai became the centre of the region, and the wall was significantly expanded. A beautiful legend is associated with this period, about the commander Yuchi Gong (尉迟敬德). When construction reached the steepest section, the works kept collapsing. They say that a desperate general saw a deer easily climbing that slope and ordered the wall to be built following the animal's tracks. Since then, Linhai has sometimes been called "Deer City".

During the Song era, the wall acquired a second, equally important function – protection from floods. The authorities faced it with brick and added semicircular buttresses (马面, mǎmiàn) that dampened the force of the water. It was this engineering trick that saved the wall from demolition under the Mongol Yuan dynasty: fortresses were destroyed all over China to prevent uprisings, but the Linhai wall was left because it saved the city from river floods.

Mid‑16th century. The coast of China is ravaged by Japanese pirates (wokou). The legendary general Qi Jiguang (戚继光) arrives in Linhai. Under him, the wall reaches its peak of power:

• He creates 13 "hollow watchtowers" (空心敌台, kōngxīn dí tái) – inside them soldiers could be housed and supplies stored. This was a new word in fortification.
• It was here that Qi Jiguang won his famous victories – "9 victories in a row" (the Great Victory at Taizhou).
• Later, his tower designs were transferred north and used to strengthen the Great Wall of China. That is why the Linhai wall is called the "teacher" (mother) of the Great Wall.

The eminent architect and fortification historian Luo Zhewen (罗哲文) confirmed that Linhai's technologies became a model for the construction of the northern sections.

• "Buttresses" (马面) – semicircular protrusions on the outer side of the wall. They not only strengthened the structure but also allowed flanking fire at the enemy walking along the wall.
• "Brick‑facing technique" (露龈造) – the wall is made of fired brick on the outside, and rammed earth and rubble inside. This made it incredibly strong.
• Drainage system – special water outlets that diverted rainwater, preventing the masonry from being destroyed.

Modern proof of reliability: during Super Typhoon Lekima in 2019, the wall withstood a record water rise and saved the old town from flooding.

Since 2001 the wall has been protected by the state as a key historical monument. Since 2012 it has been on the tentative list of UNESCO. In 2022 the area around the wall received the status of a state‑level tourist complex of the highest category 5A.

• "This wall is about 300 years older than the northern Great Wall."
• "The design of the towers you see was later copied on the Great Wall in Beijing."
• "Locals call the wall the 'Green Dragon' because it winds along the mountain slopes."
• "The bricks still bear the stamps of the masters – an ancient quality control system."
• "The steepest section – 198 steps – is jokingly called by locals the 'Stairway to Heaven'."