Ancient Shu Roads

Ancient Shu Road is a system of roads over 1000km that connect today’s Xi’an and Chengdu over the Qinling and Daba Mountains that were built over 2000 years ago. Ancient Shu Road is called Shu Dao or Ancient Shu Dao in Chinese. The part that is not within Sichuan is also called Shu Dao because it is the way to Ancient Shu (today’s Sichuan). Among the many roads the best preserved ones is the Jinniu Road, which is largely located in today’s north Sichuan. The Ancient Shu Roads are good example of ancient Chinese postal system and ancient Chinese engineering achievement.

Jianmen Fortress

The Ancient Shu Roads have history as early as 3000 years. The cultural heritage include the gallery roads of post-Qin Dynasty, critical old towns and fortresses, Three Kingdom cultural and historical sites.

Well-preserved Ancient Shu Roads (Shu Dao)

The most well-preserved Shu Roads are called Jinniu Roads, which are located largely in Guangyuan of Sichuan. The famous ones including Cuiyunlang(), Lanmaqiang, Mingyue Gorge(). Modern roads were only built less than 100 years ago and largely follow the same route as the Ancient Shu Roads therefore most of the ancient roads were destroyed. The ones that are left are now under good preservation.

Ancient Towns and Fortresses

Towns and fortresses have made their names known since old times especially during Three Kingdoms time (around 1800 year ago). Jianmenguan Fortress (of Jianmen Fortress) is the number one fortress on Ancient Shu Roads and is a must-see place while on an Ancient Shu trip. The famous quote from Li Bai “one man guards the fortress/pass, 10,000 men can’t pass” is inspired by Jianmen Fortress.

The other old town is called Zhaohua Old Town which was also an important town in old times and now a very popular tourist place due to its history.

Other Places Ancient Shu Roads

The northern part of Sichuan has traditionally been more connected to the central China to Xi’an and Hanzhong since 2500 years ago. Guangyuan, where most of today’s Ancient Shu Roads sites are located, is also the hometown of the only Empress of Chinese history. Huangze Temple is a good place to learn that part of the history. Qianfo Grotto is another cultural site in Guangyuan that worth a visit to while traveling on Ancient Shu Roads. The nearby Lanzhong Old Town is one of the 4 Great Old Towns in China and a very historical old town that worth to visit.

Recommended length of visiting: 2-3 days;

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  Cuiyunlang

  Cuiyunlang indicates the old cypress tree shadded Ancient Shu Road that is in Guangyuan and Mianyan near the town of Jian’Ge with different roads go to north, south and west.

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  Jianmenguan(Jianmen Fortress)

  Jianmenguan is the Chinese name for Jianmen Fortress or Jianmen Pass. Jianmenguan is a critical fortress during Three Kingdom Period.

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  Zhaohua Ancient Town

  Zhaohua Ancient Town is an ancient city with a long history. It is an important part of the Jianmen Shu Road Sites , a national key cultural relic protection unit of Three Kingdom sites.

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  Hiking Ancient Shu Roads

  The best preserved part of Ancient Shu Roads is some sections of Jinniu Ancient Roads, among which is the Cuiyunlang part that has been preserved the best. Hiking is the best way of feeling the history of Ancient Shu Roads and learn the stories of Three Kingdoms.