Líshuǐ

Lishui stands beside the Ou River amid the mountains of southern Zhejiang. Known in earlier times as Kuocang, it became the seat of Chuzhou, governing a group of counties in the surrounding hill country. Its walls followed the contours of the land and river. The Yuan rebuilt the city in 1290, using part of the old site. In 1563, the Ming prefect Zhang Dashao repaired and strengthened its walls, replacing brick with stone. Along the river the masonry helped protect the town from floods as well as attack. Lishui remained the seat of Chuzhou Prefecture under the Ming and Qing.