Sizhou City was founded in North Zhou Dynasty (AD557-581), and during Sui Dy
nasty it was rebuilt in Tang Dynasty. In Song Dynasty, a new city was built opposite to the Bian River beside the Sizhou City and gradually its scope exceeded the old city zone. In Ming Dynasty the city wall between these two cities was taken apart and over the Bian River built a wide scaffold bridge, which made the two cities combined. To prevent the flood, outside the city gate was built 6 semi-circular enclosures and 5 enclosure gates; there was one enclosure outside the gate and only there were two outside the south gate as double sluice gates. When there was flood outside the city, the enclosure gate should be firstly stopped up and people could get out on the causeway of the enclosure gate. The old city of this pattern is especially unique in our country. In Ming Dynasty, large hydraulic projects were put into practice in order to protect Sizhou City and imperial ancestor mausoleum, and construct Hongze Lake to maintain water transportation. In 19th year of Kangxi Time in Qing Dynasty (in 1680), Yellow River and Huaihe River were all flooded and Sizhou district was suffered with 70 days' rainstorm constantly and then the city was submerged; nevertheless it was not located in the main riverway of Huaihe River, so it was not destroyed by turbulent flood but submerged by soil and sand until the 35th year of Kangxi Time (in 1696).
nasty it was rebuilt in Tang Dynasty. In Song Dynasty, a new city was built opposite to the Bian River beside the Sizhou City and gradually its scope exceeded the old city zone. In Ming Dynasty the city wall between these two cities was taken apart and over the Bian River built a wide scaffold bridge, which made the two cities combined. To prevent the flood, outside the city gate was built 6 semi-circular enclosures and 5 enclosure gates; there was one enclosure outside the gate and only there were two outside the south gate as double sluice gates. When there was flood outside the city, the enclosure gate should be firstly stopped up and people could get out on the causeway of the enclosure gate. The old city of this pattern is especially unique in our country. In Ming Dynasty, large hydraulic projects were put into practice in order to protect Sizhou City and imperial ancestor mausoleum, and construct Hongze Lake to maintain water transportation. In 19th year of Kangxi Time in Qing Dynasty (in 1680), Yellow River and Huaihe River were all flooded and Sizhou district was suffered with 70 days' rainstorm constantly and then the city was submerged; nevertheless it was not located in the main riverway of Huaihe River, so it was not destroyed by turbulent flood but submerged by soil and sand until the 35th year of Kangxi Time (in 1696).Sizhou City is a remarkable treasure of many ages. It has been under the water for over 300 years but thereby keeps a wonder of a almost complete ancient city. The value of the Sizhou City comes to its original historic feature and special precious travel resource. Compared with Pompeii City in Italy submerged by volcano, the underwater Sizhou City has the same result through different approach and therefore the underwater Sizhou City is called "Chinese Pompeii City" by the archaeologist.
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