At two kilometres in circumference and protected by an imposing 12-metre wall, the Ming Dynasty's 'Martial City' had a reputation that struck fear into opposing armies. So much so that battle plans would be drawn up to specifically give the castle at Zhangjiakou, in China's northern Hebei province, a wide berth. Now archaeologists have begun a daunting project to restore the once-mighty site to something approaching it previous glory, in particular the dilapidated outer wall that repelled every attack which invading Mongolian armies could throw at it. Among the works being carried out at Wanquan Castle is the restoration of the fortress' dilapidated outer wall . Workers restore the southern barbican entrance to Wanquan Castle, which was known as the Ming Dynasty's 'Martial City' The fortress was built in 1393 and managed to repel all attacks by the invading Mongolian armies . The fortress measures some two kilometres in circumference and was protected by an imposing 12-metre wall . The restoration of the fortress - which was given the coveted title of 'Wucheng' or 'Martial City' after its construction in 1393 - will see building work completed in the original Ming Dynasty style of architecture, reports People's Daily Online. The project will see the restoration of the Ming and Qing era commercial districts, the Great Wall Martial Museum, the Golden Harvest Academy and performance theatres as well as the opening of the Red Tourist Route, with all work planned to be complete in 2016. The restoration work will also include the ongoing protection of surviving structures. The castle in Wanquan county - known in China as a 'living fossil of the Ming military system' - was built in 1393 but is relatively well-preserved, especially the interior city area which includes the residences of generals and wealthy merchants. The fortress has huge historical, cultural and military significance and has key cultural relic status in China. While much of the interior city is in good condition, the outer wall is somewhat dilapidated and will be the focus of much of the work . The restoration work, which is due to be completed next year, will where possible be carried out in the style of Ming Dynasty architecture . The Ming Dynasty ruled China for 276 years, between the years 1368 and 1644, and is often described as the last of the great Chinese dynasties. During the era large scale architectural and civil engineering projects were created or expanded, including the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal and the Forbidden City, located in Beijing. It took 15 years to build, using more than one million workers, and has almost 1,000 buildings. Art flourished during the Ming Dynasty, which saw an explosion of literature, painting, poetry, music and porcelain - with Ming vases and plates valuable collector items to this day. Following popular uprising and rebellions across China, the Chinese army was defeated and the Ming Dynasty collapsed when its last emperor Chongzhen hanged himself on a tree in the imperial garden outside the Forbidden City, in 1644. Source: Wikipedia .
Historians are hoping the Wanquan Castle can be restored to its former glory, particularly its imposing outer wall . Fortress was built in 1393 and successfully repelled every attack that invading Mongolian armies threw at it . Castle has huge historical, cultural and military significance and has key cultural relic status for Chinese people .