Gāoyǎng

Gaoyang was a fortified inspection post in the Hepu country north of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ming records place the post first at Malan market and later southwest of the county seat. Together with other posts along the coast and inland routes, it formed part of the local defence of Lianzhou. Rivers and low hills connect this country with the coast, where maritime traffic and the pearl fisheries gave Hepu its long-standing importance.