Shénwǔ

Shenwu was an old county in the hill country west of Shuozhou, close to the northern frontier. Later the district became known for Shenchikou, where the Ming established an inspection office in 1448. A fortress followed in 1539 and was enlarged in 1576, forming a small walled town on the routes through the hills. Its name recalled a local pool, while the older Shenwu name survived in historical records.