The Qin-Han Ancient Road

The Qin-Han Ancient Road

In 2005, after extensive on-site research, historical experts in Qingyuan concluded that the Chengjia Road within the "Guangdong's First Peak Scenic Area" in Yangshan is a rare ancient road. Although parts of the ancient path have now been developed into simple highways, ancient bluestone slabs and cliff inscriptions still remain. Its origins can be traced back to the Qin and Han dynasties, making it a precious historical site that bears witness to the economic and cultural integration between Lingnan and the Central Plains.

A Narrow Path with Great History

In the northeastern part of Yangshan County lie the Dadong Mountain Range and Tianjing Mountain Range, with most peaks exceeding an altitude of 1,000 meters. The highest peak, Shikengkong (also known as Mengkengshi), rises to 1,902 meters, making it the tallest in Guangdong. Hence, this mountain range is referred to as the "Roof of Guangdong."

The Chengjia Ancient Road winds through this area. It starts from Shen Tang Village in Qinglian Town, Yangshan, follows the Taoh River upstream, passes through Maluoqiao in Litou Town, Pulu Zhou in Lingbei Town, Ducai Village and Dabei Village in Chengjia Township, and reaches Sanyuan’ao in Lutian Village, continuing onward into Yizhang County in Hunan. The section within Yangshan spans approximately 100 kilometers. It is a true narrow mountain path, with the widest point being 95 centimeters and the narrowest just 50 centimeters. However, the road condition is quite good, mostly paved with bluestone.

Historical records do not indicate when this ancient road was built. According to expert research and speculation, its construction likely began as early as the late Qin Dynasty and no later than the mid-Western Han Dynasty.

There are two inscriptions along the ancient road documenting maintenance work: one at Shipaiyan in Ducai Village, Chengjia Township, which records the repair of the Baimang section in the fourth year of the Tianxi era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1020): “On the eighth day of the fourth month in the Gengshen year of the Tianxi era, the public raised funds to invite Taoist priests to repair and open the Baimang stone road, to aid travelers...”

Another is located at the Fozijing section of the ancient road, a cliff inscription from the 23rd year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1595)—the “Jieyang Road Record.” On the rock at Sanyuan’ao, there is also a military record inscription: “General Li, together with Prefect Li and brave troops, decisively defeated the bandit stronghold at Caizaiying. On their victorious return, they passed through here and renamed it Fen Shui Ao.” The date inscribed is September of the sixth year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. This inscription adds a hint of historical warfare to the otherwise tranquil Chengjia Ancient Road.

The Ancient Road Gradually Reveals Its Mysteries

As Qingyuan is situated along the middle and upper reaches of the Beijiang River, it served as a key junction for exchanges between the ancient Pearl River Delta region and inland areas. The Chengjia River, a tributary of the Xiao Beijiang, allowed cargo boats to reach Guiyang in Hunan upstream and Nanhai in Guangdong downstream. Among the towns in Yangshan, Qinglian Market occupied the optimal location for trade both south to Guangzhou and north to Hunan. Scholars tend to believe that the ancient road in Yangshan originally served as a military route, then as an official road, and finally evolved into a civilian trade route—this is the long evolution history of the enduring Chengjia Road.

Many rare cultural relics have been unearthed in the Chengjia River Canyon area, indicating that the ancient road was once a hub of commercial prosperity: the only neolithic stone battle-axe in the collection of the Yangshan County Museum was found here, the only bronze spear from the Warring States period was found here, and the only excavated Han tomb was also discovered here. Being both close in distance and populated along the way, the Qin army naturally chose the Chengjia Mountain Pass as their land route into Guangdong after crossing the Qitian Ridge.

With the development of tourism at Guangdong’s First Peak, the ancient Yangshan Pass Road, which had been hidden in the long river of history, is gradually unveiling its mysteries, telling the world about the once-forgotten pioneering civilization of its ancestors.