A view of the City Wall of the Ancient City of Taizhou, in the county-level of Linhai, Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfb001]

The Ancient City of Taizhou Cultural Scenic Area, which is located in the county-level city of Linhai, Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has been designated a national 5A scenic spot, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on July 15.

The ancient city is the third national 5A scenic spot in Taizhou, following Shenxianju Scenic Spot and Tiantai Mountain Scenic Spot, and the 20th in Zhejiang province.

The Ancient City of Taizhou Cultural Scenic Area covers a total area of 3.12 square kilometers and consists of scenic spots including City Wall of the Ancient City of Taizhou, Ziyang Street, East Lake, and Jinshan Mountain.

To celebrate its designation as a national 5A scenic spot, admission fees to the City Wall of the Ancient City of Taizhou and East Lake will be waived, local authorities announced.

The City Wall of the Ancient City of Taizhou, also known as "the Southern Great Wall", spans about 5,000 meters. It was listed as a relic under State protection in 2001 and inducted into the preparatory China World Cultural Heritage list in 2012.

Stretching 1,080 meters, Ziyang Street is one of the most well-preserved historical blocks in China. In 2012, it was named a "Famous Chinese Historical and Cultural Street" by the Ministry of Culture and the State Bureau of Cultural Relics. 

East Lake, situated on the east side of the ancient city, covers an area of about 280 mu (18.67 hectares). Yu Yue, a literatus in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), had hailed it as the smaller version of the West Lake, a renowned attraction in Hangzhou.

Jinshan Mountain, also known as Jinzi Mountain, is located in the southeast corner of the Ancient City of Taizhou Cultural Scenic Area. Legend has it that when a Taoist ascended to heaven, the scarf that he had dropped was transformed into the mountain. The mountain is also believed to be the end of the Road of Tang Poetry, which refers to a route that crosses through much of eastern Zhejiang. 

A view of Jinshan Mountain in the county-level of Linhai, Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfb001]