Jiànpíng

Jianping was the old name of the county now known as Langxi, north-west of Guangde. Founded in 988 from five townships of Guangde, the county had its seat at Langbu on the north bank of the Langchuan River. Its riverbank location was embedded in the settlement's name: bu referred to a landing place, where boats could stop. This county seat provided an enduring centre for the surrounding countryside through the Yuan, Ming and Qing.

In 1566, during the Jiajing reign, Jianping acquired a fortified enclosure. The circuit measured about 780 zhang and included four gates and a water gate, joining the needs of a defended town to its river setting. Its landscape was also given literary form. The Ming Jiajing county gazetteer recognised eight local scenic views, with further views added during the Yongzheng reign. Administrative records and named hills, waters and temples together gave the county a local identity within the wider Guangde country.