Hechuan District, Huguomen Gate, Fishing Town Scenic Area

Huguomen Gate is located in the Fishing Town Ruins in Hechuan District, Chongqing. It is one of the important passes of this famous city of the Southern Song Dynasty, which resisted the Mongols, and is also a core part of the Fishing Town defense system. 1. Location and architectural features Location: Huguomen Gate is located on a steep cliff on the west side of Fishing Town, guarding the throat of the Jialing River. It is a dangerous place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and is known as "one man guards the pass, ten thousand men cannot open it." Architectural structure: The gate is built of stone, and originally had defensive facilities such as gate towers and battlements. The existing Huguomen Gate was restored in later generations, but still retains the majestic style of the Southern Song Dynasty military fortress. The words "Huguomen Gate" are engraved above the gate, highlighting its historical mission of defending the country. 2. Historical significance A key barrier in the war against the Mongols: Huguomen Gate was an important line of defense for Fishing Town against the Mongol army. At the end of the Southern Song Dynasty (1243–1279), the army and civilians of Fishing Town relied on the natural dangers and their wisdom to hold out for 36 years, creating a rare miracle in the history of world wars of the weak defeating the strong. A battle that changed world history: In 1259, the Mongol Khan Möngke (Yuan Xianzong) personally led an expedition to Fishing Town, and was seriously injured (or killed) in the siege, causing the Mongol army to retreat from Europe, indirectly affecting the historical process of the Eurasian continent. Fishing Town is therefore known as the "place where God broke his whip." A spiritual symbol: Huguomen Gate is not only a military fortification, but also a symbol of the indomitable spirit of resistance of the army and civilians of the Southern Song Dynasty, and has become one of the symbols of the Chinese nation's resistance to foreign aggression. 3. Current status and tourism value A core attraction of the scenic area: Huguomen Gate is now a core attraction of the Fishing Town National Archaeological Site Park (a national 4A-level scenic area), and the surrounding area retains relics such as ancient city walls, batteries, and martial arts fields. A great place to enjoy the view: Climbing to Huguomen Gate, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of the Jialing River, and look far into the distance at the confluence of the three rivers (Jialing River, Fu River, and Qu River), and experience the unique landscape of the integration of "mountains, water, city, and history." Cultural experience: The scenic area has a history exhibition hall, which vividly restores the historical scenes of Huguomen Gate and the Fishing Town battle through cultural relics, pictures and texts, and multimedia. 4. Travel tips Tickets and transportation: Tickets for the Fishing Town Scenic Area are about CNY 60. You can drive or take a bus from the main city of Chongqing to Hechuan, and then transfer to a bus/taxi to reach the scenic area. Recommended route: Huguomen Gate - Ancient City Wall - Jiukou Pot Ruins (Southern Song Dynasty Weapon Workshop) - Zhongyi Temple - Hanging Reclining Buddha, about 3 hours in total. Best season: Spring and autumn have pleasant weather, avoid the high temperatures of summer; after the rain, you can see the strange scenery of the ancient city shrouded in mist.