遼代頭下軍州是種特殊的封建形式，宗室、外戚、公主、大臣，得到朝廷的封賜，得以建立其私城，給以軍州的名號，分佈於地方各處。頭下州絕大部份是宗室集團，統治的民戶大部份為漢人、渤海人，以俘獲的人口居多。分佈的地區以上京道為多，其次為東京、中京道，以遼河流域為主，宜於農、牧並作，且有戰略的地位。頭下州城絕多為臨河或近河之地，州城的面積多在四等小城的規模，也有極少數的一等大城。城型多為長方形，面南偏東向居多，與契丹向東的習俗有關。城牆設施以瓮城、角樓、馬面較普遍，與一般州縣城類似，但城內格局資料甚少。

The Military Prefectures (頭下軍州) of the Liao Dynasty were a special type of feudal arrangement through which imperial clans, royal in-laws, princesses, and high ministers could obtain the favor of the imperial court. They could also be used to develop a private military city and establish the name of that particular military region. These military prefectures were primarily administrated by groups of imperial clans while their constituents mostly comprised Han peoples, nomads, and large numbers of captured soldiers. These institutions were most prevalent in the Supreme Capital(上京道), however, they could also be found in the Eastern (東京道)and Central Circuits (中京道). They were often found along rivers which was a benefit to farmers and herders as well as advantageous in terms of military position. Both small fourth level cities as well as large first level cities were built along the water. They were mostly rectangular in shape, facing south with most of their constituents living on the east side along the river (a tradition of the Khitans). City walls were made of earthen materials commonly with watch towers and MaMian, much like those found in the cities typical of most prefectures and counties. However, we still lack information on the inner sections of these cities.