Archaeologists in Beijing have identified the first known remains of a Sui Dynasty section of the Great Wall in the Chinese capital, offering new evidence about the development of medieval China’s northern defences. The discovery was among several archaeological findings announced during the 2026 Beijing Public Archaeology Season.
The discovery was made at the Dalinggou site in Beijing’s Changping district, where archaeologists from the Beijing Institute of Archaeology carried out excavations between August and October 2026. The site contains the remains of a military outpost constructed alongside an early section of the Great Wall.
Covering approximately 800 square metres, the excavation revealed buildings, retaining walls and defensive structures. Archaeologists also recovered more than 60 artefacts, including pottery, metal objects, architectural components and weapons.
A Medieval Fortification Reconsidered
An aerial view of the Dalinggou site in Beijing. Photo courtesy Beijing Institute of Archaeology
The Dalinggou site had previously been classified as part of the Great Wall constructed during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577). However, newly recovered artefacts, combined with historical records, indicate that the fortification was also used during the Sui Dynasty (581–618). There is evidence that it remained in use during the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234).
Shang Heng, associate research librarian at the Beijing Institute of Archaeology, explains, “This is the first discovery of Sui Dynasty Great Wall remains in the Beijing area, which is of great value for studying the age, location, direction, and military defense system of the early Great Wall in Beijing, and is also of great significance for studying the location and direction of the Sui Dynasty Great Wall in Hebei and Shanxi provinces.”
The Sui Dynasty, although relatively short-lived, played an important role in Chinese history. Its rulers reunited much of China after centuries of political division and invested heavily in strengthening their northern frontier.
“The most important evidence for identifying the remains of the Great Wall from the Sui Dynasty is two unearthed artifacts: a ‘Sui Wuzhu’ coin, which has clear significance for dating; and a piece of porcelain with typical Sui Dynasty characteristics, whose shape and manufacturing process are highly similar to previously discovered Sui Dynasty porcelain,” Heng added.
The discovery also provides new information about early Great Wall construction. The Dalinggou outpost incorporated timber-framed entrances and substantial stone-and-earth defensive structures, suggesting that considerable resources were devoted to maintaining these frontier fortifications.
Other Discoveries Announced in Beijing
Three shipwrecks unearthed from Beijing’s Fengtai district. Photo courtesy Beijing Institute of Archaeology
The Great Wall discovery was among several findings presented on Saturday during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Beijing Public Archaeology Season, held alongside the fourth Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Archaeological Academic Exchange.
Another major discovery involved three ancient wooden boats uncovered in Beijing’s Fengtai district. Dating to approximately 1,800 years ago, the vessels were found about seven metres underground in an ancient river channel. Named Yongding River Nos. 1, 2 and 3, they are considered the largest and most structurally complete inland waterway boats of their period yet discovered in northern China. One vessel bears the Chinese character guan, meaning official, suggesting a possible connection to government activities.
The archaeological season also included the opening of a new archaeological research station in Yanqing district and the launch of Archaeological Science, a specialist journal devoted to archaeological research in Beijing.
Top Image: The ruins of an early Great Wall garrison at Dalinggou, Changping District. Photo by Wu Yibin, courtesy The People’s Government of Beijing Municipality
Archaeologists in Beijing have identified the first known remains of a Sui Dynasty section of the Great Wall in the Chinese capital, offering new evidence about the development of medieval China’s northern defences. The discovery was among several archaeological findings announced during the 2026 Beijing Public Archaeology Season.
The discovery was made at the Dalinggou site in Beijing’s Changping district, where archaeologists from the Beijing Institute of Archaeology carried out excavations between August and October 2026. The site contains the remains of a military outpost constructed alongside an early section of the Great Wall.
Covering approximately 800 square metres, the excavation revealed buildings, retaining walls and defensive structures. Archaeologists also recovered more than 60 artefacts, including pottery, metal objects, architectural components and weapons.
A Medieval Fortification Reconsidered
The Dalinggou site had previously been classified as part of the Great Wall constructed during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577). However, newly recovered artefacts, combined with historical records, indicate that the fortification was also used during the Sui Dynasty (581–618). There is evidence that it remained in use during the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234).
Shang Heng, associate research librarian at the Beijing Institute of Archaeology, explains, “This is the first discovery of Sui Dynasty Great Wall remains in the Beijing area, which is of great value for studying the age, location, direction, and military defense system of the early Great Wall in Beijing, and is also of great significance for studying the location and direction of the Sui Dynasty Great Wall in Hebei and Shanxi provinces.”
The Sui Dynasty, although relatively short-lived, played an important role in Chinese history. Its rulers reunited much of China after centuries of political division and invested heavily in strengthening their northern frontier.
“The most important evidence for identifying the remains of the Great Wall from the Sui Dynasty is two unearthed artifacts: a ‘Sui Wuzhu’ coin, which has clear significance for dating; and a piece of porcelain with typical Sui Dynasty characteristics, whose shape and manufacturing process are highly similar to previously discovered Sui Dynasty porcelain,” Heng added.
The discovery also provides new information about early Great Wall construction. The Dalinggou outpost incorporated timber-framed entrances and substantial stone-and-earth defensive structures, suggesting that considerable resources were devoted to maintaining these frontier fortifications.
Other Discoveries Announced in Beijing
The Great Wall discovery was among several findings presented on Saturday during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Beijing Public Archaeology Season, held alongside the fourth Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Archaeological Academic Exchange.
Another major discovery involved three ancient wooden boats uncovered in Beijing’s Fengtai district. Dating to approximately 1,800 years ago, the vessels were found about seven metres underground in an ancient river channel. Named Yongding River Nos. 1, 2 and 3, they are considered the largest and most structurally complete inland waterway boats of their period yet discovered in northern China. One vessel bears the Chinese character guan, meaning official, suggesting a possible connection to government activities.
The archaeological season also included the opening of a new archaeological research station in Yanqing district and the launch of Archaeological Science, a specialist journal devoted to archaeological research in Beijing.
Top Image: The ruins of an early Great Wall garrison at Dalinggou, Changping District. Photo by Wu Yibin, courtesy The People’s Government of Beijing Municipality
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