Jieting Ruins Xiliangzi Forest Park

Jieting Ruins Xiliangzi Forest Park

Jieting Ruins Xiliangzi Forest Park is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Situated on "Xiliangzi Mountain" in Longshan Town in the western part of Zhangchuan Hui Autonomous County, also known as "Duanshan" (Broken Mountain), it earned its name because the mountain stands abruptly in the Long Pass, completely isolated and unconnected to other peaks. Historical records state: In the spring of the sixth year of the Jianxing era (228 AD) during the Shu Han dynasty, Zhuge Liang launched a campaign against the Wei Kingdom. The commanderies of Nan'an, Anding, and Tianshui surrendered at the mere sight of his forces. The Cao Wei kingdom was shaken and quickly dispatched troops to resist. Zhuge Liang appointed Ma Su, who had no actual battle experience, to defend Jieting—the strategic throat of the Shu Han territory (now between Longshan Town in Zhangchuan County and Longcheng Township in Qin'an County). However, Ma Su rigidly adhered to military texts, stationing his troops on the mountain beside Jieting (present-day Xiliangzi in Longshan Town). He was surrounded by the Wei general Zhang He on the mountain, who cut off their water supply. The Shu Han army fell into chaos without even engaging in battle and lost Jieting. With no way to advance or retreat, the Shu Han forces had to retreat, leading to the failure of Zhuge Liang’s northern expedition. From the "Qin'an County Annals" and research by experts on the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," we can roughly conclude that the famous Battle of Jieting between Wei and Shu likely took place at "today’s Longshan (near Xiliangzi)."

The entire Xiliangzi mountain range is high at both ends and low in the middle, shaped like a camel’s hump, lying across the southern bank of the Qingshui River. Known as the “Five Roads’ Main Pass” due to its control over a crucial river valley entrance, it is also referred to as the “Meeting Point of Three Waters.” In recent years, the Party Committee and government of Longshan Town have focused on integrating ecology and culture, engaging in mountain reforestation and actively developing the Xiliang Mountain Jieting Forest Park. They have invested 800,000 yuan to establish a thousand-mu fruit orchard on the northern side of the mountain, planting over 30,000 fruit trees including walnuts, apricots, chestnuts, and peaches, which are now in their prime fruit-bearing period. They have also invested 900,000 yuan to widen and pave three mountain-access roads totaling 3.5 kilometers, initially establishing a well-developed mountain transportation network. Coupled with opportunities from Beautiful Village initiatives and afforestation projects in gullies and ridges, they mobilized Party members, cadres, public welfare workers, and local residents to plant trees, achieving a total afforestation area of 85 mu. In 2014, 5,000 ornamental trees such as Sabina chinensis, golden willows, and fragrant-flowered locusts were planted, dressing the ancient and weathered barren Xiliangzi Mountain in lush greenery. It has also become a popular spot for nearby residents to escape the summer heat, relax, and enjoy leisure activities.