The Ancient Huizhou Path at Jugen Pass

The Ancient Huizhou Path at Jugen Pass

The Ancient Huizhou Path at Jugen Pass is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Tang to Qing

The Ancient Huizhou Path at Jugen Pass is situated on Xianyu Mountain at the junction of Shitai, Qimen, and Dongzhi counties in southern Anhui, historically known as the "Huizhou-Raozhou Corridor." It was an interprovincial highway connecting Huizhou with Raozhou in Jiangxi—essentially a major "national road" of its time. Since the Tang Dynasty, the path has been a crucial hub for commerce and military movement in southern China. The site was first built during the Tang Dynasty, and the most intact remaining section stretches 7.5 kilometers in length, featuring a total of 18,000 steps. As a cultural route heritage, the ancient path is a site of high comprehensive and holistic value, serving cultural, commercial, military, and ecological functions. Along the ancient path and within Xianyu Mountain, a wealth of historical structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties are preserved, including ancient architecture, sections of the ancient Great Wall, tombs, pavilions, stone tablets, carvings, sculptures, ancient battlefields, temples, and nunneries.

Since 2001, multiple surveys have been conducted. The Ancient Huizhou Path at Jugen Pass is paved with bluestone slabs, winding through shaded valleys and forests. The most intact section is located in Ketian Village, Xianyu Town, Shitai County, where the entire path is paved with bluestone. It spans 7 zhang (approx. 23.3 meters), constructed with slabs approximately 1 zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) long, 0.5 zhang (approx. 1.65 meters) wide, and 0.3 zhang (approx. 1 meter) thick, laid in a crisscross pattern, totaling 18,000 steps. The ancient path and surrounding Xianyu Mountain preserve numerous Ming and Qing-era relics, such as the Jugen Pass fortress, sections of the ancient Great Wall, pavilions, stone tablets, carvings, sculptures, temples, as well as ancient tombs and battlefields.

The ancient Great Wall was initially built during the Taiping Rebellion period, stretching from Liuyuan Village in Qimen in the east to Wangcun Group, Ketian Village, Xianyu Town, Shitai in the west, with Jugen Ridge serving as the boundary. The fortress along the ancient Great Wall, historically called "Jugen Pass," is situated atop Jugen Ridge on the ancient path at an elevation of 710 meters. The fortress stands 3 zhang (approx. 10 meters) high, with a central gate that is 2 meters tall and 1 zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) wide. The stone walls are 5 meters thick, constructed from bluestone slabs. The original Great Wall spanned 14 kilometers, though most now remains only as foundations, with about 1 kilometer in relatively good condition. The sites of Qiyuan Pavilion, Yuquan Pavilion, Guxi Pavilion, and Jibao Pavilion still feature sturdy frameworks built from stone blocks.

Historical records indicate that the Ancient Huizhou Path at Jugen Pass had already become a key transportation and military route by the year 873, and continued in use through the Republican era. The path boasts abundant relics and beautiful surroundings, making it an ecologically valuable site of significant historical and cultural importance.

In May 2013, it was designated by the State Council as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Protected Area: Extends 10 meters outward from both sides and both ends of the ancient path. Relics along the path, such as Jugen Pass, the ancient Great Wall, pavilions, stone tablets, carvings, sculptures, temples, tombs, and battlefields, have a protection buffer of 10 meters extending from their physical structures.

Construction Control Zone: A 30-meter buffer zone surrounding the protected area.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units