Taizhou is a prefecture-level city in central Zhejiang province. Linhai, a county-level city in Taizhou, was formerly the city’s political and cultural center.

Wang Shixing, a native of Linhai and the founder of China's human geography in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), said that, “among the 11 cities of Zhejiang province, Taizhou is situated in the most dangerous location, bordering East Lake to the east, Beigu Mountain to the north, and the Yangtze River to the southwest." 

Linhai Ancient Great Wall [Photo by Ying Limin/en.zjtz.gov.cn]

Taizhou has long been referred to as "the Southern Badaling of the Yangtze River" for its beautiful scenery and imposing city walls.

Taizhou is home to the Linhai Ancient Great Wall, an important heritage site under state protection and a national AAAA tourist zone as well as the only great wall in Southern China. The 1,600-year-old wall was built in the Jin Dynasty (265-420) and extended in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The existing wall reaches a total length of 5,000 meters. 

According to historical records, the hollow enemy broadcasting stations of the Great Wall in North China imitated those of the ancient town of Linhai, which were built by Qi Jiguang, an anti-Japanese general during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In addition to defense, the Linhai Ancient Great Wall is also characterized by its flood-prevention design, namely its semi-arched exterior and a square interior, which is rare in China.