An ancient fortress in China's Shanxi - Diantou village

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Diantou village, in Shanxi province, which once served as an ancient fortress, looks like a beehive at the foot of a mountain.

Located 2.5 km from ancient Jinyang's city ruins, Diantou pocks the northern base of Mengshan Mountain. The mouths of the subterranean homes open toward Longshan Mountain across a creek. The foot of Longshan is traced by what was once the only road leading to the ancient Loufan kingdom.

The caves were likely part of a fortress defending that strategic route. It's said that the founder of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), Emperor Li Yuan, stationed his army here. This is also believed to be the starting point for his expeditions to overthrow the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) and other warlords.

Strolling among the caves, visitors come to realize the uniqueness of the structures. Passageways with doors connect more than 400 caverns, making the complex like a beehive in outward appearance and an anthill in internal structure. [China.org.cn]

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