Yǒngchāng

Yongchang lies on the Hexi Corridor between the Qilian Mountains and the desert ranges to the north. Rivers from the mountains support the cultivated plain around the town. Under the Yuan it was the seat of Yongchang Circuit, a district said to have taken its name from the palace of the Prince of Yongchang. The Ming replaced the circuit with a military garrison. In 1587 a bell and drum tower was built at the centre of the town, above arched passages opening in four directions.