Tianjing Pass

Tianjing Pass

Tianjing Pass is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

Tianjing Pass

Tianjing Pass (Fourth Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Han, Tang to Qing Dynasties

Address: Jinmiaopu Town, Zezhou County

Tianjing Pass, also known as Taihang Pass, got its name from three naturally formed deep pits (referred to as "tianjing") located to the south of the pass. It is an important strategic pass built along the treacherous Taihang Mountains and serves as a key transportation route between Shanxi and Henan through the mountain range. The *Book of Han · Treatise on Geography* states, “There is a Tianjing Pass in Gaodu, Shangdang, which is also called the Heavenly Gate,” marking the earliest historical record of Tianjing Pass. In the second year of the Jianwu era during the Han Dynasty, the Minister of Works Wang Liang was dispatched to guard Tianjing Pass in the north to combat the Red Eyebrows rebels, after which the area saw frequent military conflicts. It is an important ancient military site.

Extending 25 kilometers to the south, Tianjing Pass branches into two passes — the Greater and Lesser Passes — reaching the provincial border. Along this stretch, there are numerous fortified towns, ancient roads, and fortresses. Existing architectural ruins include over ten sites such as Tianjing Pass, the Temple of Confucius, Xingyao Post, Hengwang Pass, Wanzicheng (Bowl City), Yangchang Slope, Panshi Great Wall, and ancient fortresses.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protected Sites in Shanxi Province