Hǎiyán

Haiyan stands beside Hangzhou Bay, where its eastern wall faced the water and seawalls protected the shore. The county seat moved several times in antiquity before a new town was built at its later site in 717. During the Ming, coastal raids prompted repairs to the town's defences. Its gates were strengthened with outer enclosures, and a garrison had its offices within the walls. The eastern gate stood close to the bay, while waterways and water gates served the other sides of the city.