Cheolli Jangseong

Cheolli Jangseong (lit. "Thousand Li Wall") in Korean history usually refers to the 11th-century northern defense structure built during the Goryeo dynasty in present-day North Korea, though it also refers to a 7th-century network of military garrisons in present-day Northeast China, built by Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Cheolli Jangseong
Map showing the location of the two Cheolli Jangseong.
Korean name
Hangul
천리장성
Hanja
千里長城
Revised RomanizationCheolli Jangseong
McCune–ReischauerCh'ŏlli Changsŏng

Goguryeo period
Main article: List of Goguryeo fortresses in China

After Goguryeo's victory in the Goguryeo–Sui Wars, in 631 Goguryeo began the fortification of numerous military garrisons after the Tang dynasty, the successor to the Sui in China, began incursions from the northwest.[1] Its construction was supervised by Yeon Gaesomun during the reign of King Yeongnyu. The preparation and coordination was completed in 647, after which Yeon Gaesomun took control of the Goguryeo court in a coup.

The network of fortresses ran for approximately 1000 li in what is now Northeast China, from Buyeoseong (부여성, 扶餘城) (present-day Nong'an County) to the Bohai Bay.

The most important of the garrisons were as follows:

Silla period

The Kingdom of Silla was forced to build a northern wall along its border with Balhae in 721 as well as maintain active defences along the border.

Goryeo period

Cheolli Jangseong also refers to the stone wall built from 1033 to 1044, during the Goryeo dynasty, in the northern Korean peninsula. Sometimes called Goryeo Jangseong ("Great Wall of Goryeo"), it is roughly 1000 li in length, and about 24 feet in both height and width. It connected the fortresses built during the reign of Emperor Hyeonjong, passing through these cities,

  • Uiju (의주, 義州)
  • Wiwon (위원, 威遠)
  • Heunghwa (흥화, 興化)
  • Jeongju (정주, 靜州)
  • Yeonghae (영해, 寧海)
  • Yeongdeok (영덕, 寧德)
  • Yeongsak (영삭, 寧朔)
  • Jeongyung (정융, 定戎)
  • Yeongwon (영원, 寧遠)
  • Pyeongno (평로, 平虜)
  • Sakju (삭주, 朔州)
  • Maengju (맹주, 孟州)
  • Unju (운주, 雲州)
  • Cheongsae (청새, 淸塞)
  • Ansu (안수, 安水)
  • Yeongheung (영흥, 永興)
  • Yodeok (요덕, 耀德)
  • Jeongbyeon (정변, 靜邊)
  • and ending at Hwaju (화주, 和州).

King Deokjong ordered Yuso to build the defenses in response to incursions by the Khitan of the northwest and the Jurchen of the northeast. It was completed during the reign of Emperor Jeongjong.

It ran from the mouth of the Yalu River to around Hamheung of present-day North Korea. Remnants are still extant, including in Ŭiju and Chŏngp'yŏng.

See also

References
  1. 《三国史记·高句丽本记八》："荣留王十四年春二月，王动众筑长城，东北自扶余城，西南至海千余里，凡十六年毕功"
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