Archaeologists in China have discovered 800-year-old sections of city walls and gates belonging to a once-popular military fortress in the country’s southwest Chongqing municipality. An archaeological dig was launched at Baidi township in February by the Cultural Heritage Research Institute of Chongqing and the Cultural Relic Management Office of Fengjie County.

Baidi township, located in Fengjie County, was once a very important military fortress. Over the first six months, 20 sections of city walls, gates, defence towers and armouries have been found at the site. The walls and gates have been confirmed as dating from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) to Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912). More than 300 relics, mainly iron weapons and some ceramic, copper and stone artifacts, have also been unearthed.