The Wengcheng ruins are encased in protective glass displays. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Heping Bridge, a vital artery for transportation and commerce in Nantong, was first constructed during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Over the course of centuries, it has undergone numerous renovations and reconstructions, serving as an eternal presence as the city around it transformed and evolved.

In 2002, during a project to widen the bridge, workers uncovered remnants of ancient wall foundations. These were later conclusively identified as Wengcheng ruins, Nantong's western city wall site, dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Remarkably preserved, the site's masonry retains traces of sticky rice particles — an organic binding agent used in its mortar — still visible after nearly a millennium.

Surrounding the Wengcheng ruins, there were also a wealth of ceramic fragments adorned with motifs such as fish, human figures, and inscriptions including the Chinese characters "Fu" (fortune) and "Shou"(longevity), which vividly reconstructed the daily life and cultural practices of ancient Nantong.

The discovery posed challenges to the bridge's expansion. To safeguard this historical treasure, Nantong's construction and urban planning departments carefully revised the engineering design, ensuring the site's integrity throughout construction.

Nowadays, the Wengcheng ruins and associated ceramics are encased in protective glass displays beneath Heping Bridge, forming a unique open-air museum that allows the public to learn about the city's historical significance.

The preservation of the Wengcheng ruins also stands as a testament to Nantong's successful navigation of the delicate balance between urban modernization and the protection of cultural heritage.