The last walled city in China

WEALTH created the city wall of Pingyao more than 600 years ago. Poverty saved it from destruction by marauding Red Guards in the 1960s. Now the towering four-mile fortification that encircles the ancient town is in danger of tumbling down through neglect.

The wall may be the most perfectly preserved in China, which half a century ago could boast 300 city walls. All but four have crumbled, razed by invading Japanese armies during the Second World War, by Chairman Mao’s zeal to do away with the old, and by economic modernisation.

From the Times of London. If we're talking 50 years ago, however, that's 1955 -- which doesn't allow for much blame to be laid on the Japanese. Was this a middle-aged slip (WW2 was 60 years ago!?), or were the losses even greater yet going back 75 years instead?

More on Pingyao here and here. Must try to get there one of these days. . . .

Posted by David on July 29, 2005 7:57 PM