Excavation of 2,500-year-old city begins

Excavation of the site of a 2,500-year-old city recently started in Xingtai, Hebei province.

The city - Bairencheng - belonged to the state of Zhao during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period (770-221 BC). It is one of the largest existing ancient cities in China.

Covering about 4 square kilometers, it was fortified on three sides by walls, with its north side bordered by the Zhihe River.