The Ancient City of Shicheng — An Underwater Tourist Destination
China Sunk the City to Make Room for a Hydropower Station
When China announced plans to sink the city of Shicheng in 1959, there was an uproar.
The History of the Submerged City
Situated in the Chinese province of Zhejiang, the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 AD to 200 AD) built Shicheng or the Lion City. Locals call it the Lion City due to the numerous lion carvings and sculptures decorating the entire ancient city.
In Chinese culture, lions signify courage, strength, and good luck. The locals believed the lion sculptures in the city would bring its residents good fortune and protect them from evil spirits.
Additionally, they named the city after a mountain resembling a crouching lion. While the city remains preserved underwater presently, centuries ago, it thrived under the rule of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
A Glimpse at the Once-Thriving City
The city became the hub for trade and commerce during the Eastern Han Dynasty and its cultural and historical importance kept the city from dying. The strategically built city connected the Fujian and Zhejiang provinces via a waterway.
