Archaeologists astounded by 1,000-year-old ‘Lion City’ under Chinese lake | World | News
The myth of Atlantis has long captured the world’s imagination, inspiring tales of a grand civilisation lost beneath the waves.
Yet, while the fabled city remains a matter of speculation, another marvel—China’s “Lion City”—stands as a tangible testament to history preserved underwater.
Unlike Atlantis, the Lion City, or “Shi Cheng,” is no mere legend. Submerged in 1959 as part of China’s Great Leap Forward initiative, the city was sacrificed to create a reservoir for the country’s first hydropower plant.
The forced flooding gave rise to Qiandao Lake, a picturesque waterway pockmarked by over 1,000 islands, each the peak of a submerged hill.
Beneath its serene surface lies a thriving cultural treasure, remarkably preserved despite decades underwater.
Nestled at the bottom of the reservoir near Wu Shi Mountain, Shi Cheng dates back nearly two millennia, built between 25 and 200 AD. It flourished during the Ming Dynasty, reaching its height between 1368 and 1644, when it served as a vital and opulent hub. The city’s grandeur was evident in its vast scale, covering an area equivalent to 62 football fields. Shi Cheng boasted five monumental entry gates, six interconnected stone-paved streets, and 265 intricately designed archways—a testament to its architectural ingenuity.
Remarkably, the city remains intact, with its walls, wooden beams, and even delicate carvings untouched by time. Its preservation has earned it the moniker of a “time capsule,” a window into the cultural and historical richness of ancient China.
For decades, the Lion City remained hidden, its story unknown to the world until its rediscovery in the 21st century. Lou Shanliang, who had swum in Qiandao Lake as a child, later became one of the first to explore its depths. Teaming up with cameraman Wu Lixin, the duo employed state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology to unveil the city’s secrets.
Their efforts, chronicled in the Smithsonian Channel’s documentary “China from Above: Mountains and Rivers,” marked a pivotal moment in the exploration of Shi Cheng. Lou described the experience as akin to entering “another world,” while the documentary’s narrator aptly dubbed it “China’s Atlantis.”
Wu Lixin’s innovative approach involved photographing the city’s structures from multiple angles to generate detailed 3D models. These reconstructions showcased the intricate artistry of ancient stonework, including majestic lion statues and other ornate figures. The visuals brought the Lion City back to life, igniting global interest in its story.
Wu said: “If we want to get a comprehensive set of data, we have to revolve around the object and take many photos from different angles.
“Then, we input those photos into a computer program to create a full model.”
The resulting images not only highlighted the city’s beauty but also emphasized its historical significance. Much of the architecture dates back to the 16th century, showcasing a blend of aesthetic grandeur and engineering excellence. Wide streets, massive gates, and intricately designed archways hint at a time when Shi Cheng was a centre of power and culture.
Protected from the ravages of wind, rain, and sunlight, Shi Cheng’s submerged state has preserved its structures in extraordinary condition. Wooden beams and staircases remain remarkably intact, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the past. Today, history enthusiasts and diving adventurers can explore the city firsthand, venturing 130 feet below the lake’s surface to marvel at its underwater splendour.
In 2014, the Chinese government opened the area to tourists, allowing divers to witness the city’s grandeur. Qiu Feng, a local tourism official, recalled the moment his team confirmed the city’s safety for exploration: “We were lucky. As soon as we dived into the lake, we found the outside wall of the town and even picked up a brick to prove it.”
The Lion City stands as a testament to the resilience of history, and its sacrifice for modernisation—though monumental—has inadvertently safeguarded it from natural degradation. The city’s rediscovery has reignited interest in its story, bridging ancient traditions with modern technology.
Through the efforts of explorers like Lou Shanliang and Wu Lixin, the tale of Shi Cheng continues to captivate, offering a tangible counterpart to the mythical Atlantis. While Atlantis may remain a story of speculation, China’s Lion City is a living relic, a preserved fragment of the past inviting the world to dive in and explore.
