Chinese archaeologists recently started to excavate an ancient city in Zhangshu that experts say is the oldest and best-preserved site in China.

Covering an area of 147,000 square meters, it had six gates, a moat, a river and 20-meter-high walls.

The ancient city was built in the late Neolithic period about 5,000 years ago. Experts also discovered a few of relics from the Bronze Age (2000-500 BC).

The ancient site was explored twice before - in 1974 and 1977 - by experts from Jiangxi Museum, and Peking University and Xiamen University.

This year's excavation will continue until January. Archeologists will also study the Qingjiang basin where the site is located over the next five years.

Officials at the local relics department are preparing to apply for World Cultural Heritage status for the site.

(Source: China Daily)