Iron Lion in Cangxian

The Lion of Cangzhou, as a symbol of the city, is an archaeological find in Cangxian, not far from the present-day city center of Cangzhou. The cast iron lion was created in 953 during the later Zhou dynasty, making it over 1,000 years old. It is the largest known and oldest preserved cast iron artwork in China. It also reflects the great tradition of iron processing in the Cangzhou region.
Today, a historical park exists around the lion, featuring various museums and green spaces. The museums showcase historical and cultural elements, myths, and archaeological findings from the Cangzhou area. There used to be a strong city wall around the old town of Cangzhou, which was fortified during the Tang dynasty and especially during the Song dynasty, enabling it to withstand 10,000 attackers. Unfortunately, this city wall has been gradually destroyed by earthquakes, floods, and wars. (I will address other elements in later blog posts.)
The Iron Lion itself weighs 40 tons, is significantly damaged, and is therefore supported by braces. The decay is well documented and dates back to the Ming dynasty. Under Emperor Guangxu (Qing dynasty), initial restoration attempts were made. These, along with the later preservation efforts, contributed to further decay due to inadequate technologies and materials. Today, the archaeological site of the Iron Lion is protected by a massive roof.