Guangdong Meiguan Ancient Road (Meiling Ancient Road)

Guangdong Meiguan Ancient Road (Meiling Ancient Road)

Guangdong Meiguan Ancient Road (Meiling Ancient Road) is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and a classic red tourism destination. Meiguan is located at the top of Meiling, between Meiguan Town (merged into Nan'an Town) in Dayu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, and Meiling Town (merged into Zhujixi Town) in Nanxiong City, Guangdong Province. The top is about 30 kilometers from downtown Nanxiong. The two peaks stand opposite each other, like a tiger crouching over Meiling, forming a gateway that separates Guangdong and Jiangxi.

The Meiguan Ancient Road is divided into two scenic areas: the Meiguan Ancient Road Scenic Area in Nanxiong City, Guangdong (south), with an entrance fee of 30 yuan, and the Meiguan Ancient Road Scenic Area in Dayu County, Jiangxi (north), with an entrance fee of 25 yuan. The establishment of the pass at Meiguan Ancient Road began in the Qin Dynasty. Later, the pass building was destroyed in war, so from the Han to the Tang Dynasties, Meiling was only referred to as a ridge, without the name of a pass. It was not until the Jiayou era of the Song Dynasty that a pass building was constructed, after which it became known as the Meiguan Ancient Road.

Meiguan Ancient Road

Meiguan Ancient Road is located at the top of Meiling, about 30 kilometers from downtown Nanxiong City, Guangdong Province. Meiling is part of the Dayuling section of the Five Ridges (Nanling Mountain Range), hence Meiling is also called Dayuling. The name "Meiling" is said to originate from the late Warring States period when Mei Juan, a descendant of the Yue King, led the Yue people to migrate south, settle here, reclaim land, build a city, and plant plum trees all over the ridge, thus giving it its name. Through the praise of literati and travelers, the ten-mile plum blossom forest in Meiling became known to the world and has been famous ever since.

Meiling Ancient Road is the best-preserved ancient post road in China. The ancient road is about six feet wide, with cobblestones neatly paved on the surface. Lush shrubs line the path, and the mountain cliffs on both sides are covered with dense trees, creating layered greenery.

Meiling Ancient Road winds down from Meiling to both the north and south, connecting to the Zhang River in Jiangxi to the north and the Zhen River in Guangdong to the south. Like a ribbon, it links the Yangtze River and the Pearl River. Meiling Ancient Road is the best-preserved ancient post road in China. The ancient road is about six feet wide, with cobblestones neatly paved on the surface. Lush shrubs line the path, and the mountain cliffs on both sides are covered with dense trees, creating layered greenery. At the foot of the ridge, you can see ancient horse-watering troughs used by travelers. A Halfway Pavilion, also known as Laiyan Pavilion, has been built along the ancient road. In the past, there were 136 stone steles inscribed with famous quotes and poems from ancient celebrities and scholars along the road, though few remain today.

Meiling Ancient Road was first opened during the Qin and Han Dynasties. In the fourth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (716 AD), Zhang Jiuling passed through Meiling and, seeing the steep and difficult mountain path, advised Emperor Xuanzong of Tang to excavate Meiling. At that time, due to the need for economic development, the Tang emperor ordered Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling to oversee the expansion of Meiling Ancient Road. This massive project, after arduous efforts, finally opened the Dayuling Ancient Road. On the new southern entrance of the ancient road at the foot of Nanshan Mountain, there is a Temple of the Sixth Patriarch and a “Madam Temple,” built by later generations to commemorate Zhang Jiuling’s achievements in “benefiting the region as an official” and to honor Madam Qi Yifen, Zhang’s wife, for supporting her husband’s endeavors. There is also a touching story behind it.

Meiguan Ancient Road is flanked by two peaks, like a tiger crouching over Meiling, forming a gateway that separates Guangdong and Jiangxi. Nanxiong Meiguan has always been a vital north-south transportation route and a strategic military location throughout history. Historical records describe Nanxiong as “the foremost of the Five Ridges, a hub between Jiangxi and Guangdong,” and “the throat of the north and south, a shield for the capital.” The name of Nanxiong County is also related to Meiguan. Nanxiong means “the mighty pass of Southern Yue,” and the mighty pass refers to Meiguan. The existing pass building was constructed during the Jiayou era of the Song Dynasty, built with brick and stone, and is simple yet majestic. During the Ming Dynasty, Jiang Jie, the prefect of Nanxiong, erected a plaque on the pass building. The northern gate is inscribed with “Mighty Pass of Southern Yue,” while the southern gate is inscribed with “First Pass of Lingnan.” On the north side of the pass, there is a 2.4-meter-high and 1.4-meter-wide stone stele engraved with two bold regular script characters “Meiling,” each character about 6 square feet in size. This stele was erected by Zhang Fengxiang, the prefect of Nanxiong during the Qing Kangxi era. There is also a couplet on both sides of the pass building: “Plums quench travelers’ thirst, the pass guards against bandits.”

Meiling, at the border of Guangdong and Jiangxi, has been famous for its plum blossoms since ancient times. Due to the distinct climates on the north and south sides of the ridge, there is a unique natural phenomenon where “blossoms on the southern branches fall as those on the northern branches begin to bloom.” Its stunning scenery and graceful charm have attracted numerous literati, poets, officials, and exiles throughout history to sing its praises and express their emotions. After the Southern Song Dynasty, Meiling also earned the beautiful title “Land of Plum Blossoms.” The post stations at the foot of the ridge and the pavilions and towers along the road are all nestled among plum blossoms and snow, making it hard to distinguish between flowers and snow, as if you are in a celestial palace. When the wind blows, the fragrance wafts through the air, resembling a sea of fragrant snow.

The national AAAA-level scenic spot, one of “China’s Four Great Plum Blossom Viewing Spots,” Meiguan Ancient Road is located north of Nanxiong City, Guangdong Province, 26 kilometers from downtown. Also known as the Dayuling Ancient Post Road, it spans Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces and is the shortest ancient overland transportation route connecting the Yangtze River and Pearl River water systems. It is the best-preserved ancient post road in the country.

This ancient road was opened as early as the Qin and Han Dynasties, with a pass established during the Qin Dynasty called Hengpu Pass. In the fourth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (716 AD), the imperial court, aiming to promote economic and cultural exchanges between the north and south of China and develop overseas trade, sent Left Taiyi Zhang Jiuling to open Meiguan Ancient Road. The project took two years, transforming a narrow mountain path into a broad avenue, 6 meters (two zhang) wide, paved with bluestone. Since then, Meiguan Ancient Road has become a connecting line between the Maritime Silk Road and the overland Silk Road; it serves as a junction between China’s maritime culture and inland culture. It has played an important role in the ancient cultural development of China and even the world.

Meiguan Ancient Road is located on Meiling, which was both an ancient battlefield and a site where the Red Army fought multiple battles during the revolutionary war years. Marshal Chen Yi led his troops in a three-year guerrilla war in this area and, in the face of danger, wrote the stirring “Three Chapters of Meiling.” Meiguan Ancient Road has been rated as one of the first Guangdong Red Tourism Demonstration Bases.

Meiguan Ancient Road is flanked by two peaks, like a tiger crouching over Meiling, forming a gateway that separates Guangdong and Jiangxi. Nanxiong Meiguan has always been a vital north-south transportation route and a strategic military location throughout history. Historical records describe Nanxiong as “the foremost of the Five Ridges, a hub between Jiangxi and Guangdong,” and “the throat of the north and south, a shield for the capital.” The name of Nanxiong County is also related to Meiguan. Nanxiong means “the mighty pass of Southern Yue,” and the mighty pass refers to Meiguan. The existing pass building was constructed during the Jiayou era of the Song Dynasty, built with brick and stone, and is simple yet majestic. During the Ming Dynasty, Jiang Jie, the prefect of Nanxiong, erected a plaque on the pass building. The northern gate is inscribed with “Mighty Pass of Southern Yue,” while the southern gate is inscribed with “First Pass of Lingnan.” On the north side of the pass, there is a 2.4-meter-high and 1.4-meter-wide stone stele engraved with two bold regular script characters “Meiling,” each character about 6 square feet in size. This stele was erected by Zhang Fengxiang, the prefect of Nanxiong during the Qing Kangxi era. There is also a couplet on both sides of the pass building: “Plums quench travelers’ thirst, the pass guards against bandits.”

Transportation

By car: From Shaoguan, enter the Shaoguan-Ganzhou Expressway, exit at Meiguan Ancient Road, and turn onto National Highway G323. Continue straight along G323 and look for the sign “Meiguan Ancient Road Scenic Area Parking Lot” on your right.

By bus: Take a direct bus from Shaoguan East Railway Station Square to Nanxiong City Bus Terminal, then transfer to the local bus to Meiguan Ancient Road.

Address: Northeast side of Heliankeng, National Highway 323, Meiling Town, Nanxiong City, Shaoguan

Type: Ancient Road, Historic Site, Mountain

Recommended Visit Duration: 2 hours

Phone: 0751-3591765

Opening Hours: 7:00–18:00

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units