Xiapu Pass

　　Xiapu Pass was first constructed in the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of China’s four renowned ancient passes, alongside Jianmen Pass, Hangu Pass, and Yanmen Pass. It is also among the first group of key cultural heritage sites under protection in Zhejiang Province, one of the province’s classic red tourism routes, and one of Zhejiang’s eight major hiking trails. Located at the strategic junction of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces, it has long been known as the “Southeastern Lock and Gateway to Fujian.”

　　Xiapu Pass is situated on Xiapu Mountain, within Bao’an Township, about 42 kilometers from the urban area. Xiapu Mountain, historically called Guquan Mountain or Quanling Mountain, has a main peak that rises 1,413 meters above sea level and is part of a national-level forest park. The pass connects with high mountains to the east and west, while narrow paths run from north to south. Today, four gateways remain, along with five kilometers of ancient stone-paved paths. There are two passes to the northeast and two to the southwest, all built with block stones. The First Pass features attractions such as the Fallen Horse Bridge, Xiaoxiao Pavilion, poetry steles, a statue of Huang Chao, and an inscribed stone by Sha Menghai titled “Chrysanthemum Poem,” as well as the Southeast Lock Stele, Twin Treasure Trees, the Temple to Guan Yu, Tianyu Nunnery (a historical exhibition hall), Guanyin Pavilion, and the Huaxia Pavilion. The Second Pass includes Sweet Spring, Xialing Pavilion, and the ruins of the Suixing Studio. The Third Pass contains the ruins of an ancient watchtower. The Fourth Pass has the Fuku Pavilion.

　　Xiapu Pass is the main surviving section of the ancient Xiapu Road, a historic passage that spans Fujian and Zhejiang provinces and is filled with legendary tales. This ancient imperial highway served as a vital route from the Central Plains into Fujian. The Xiapu Road gave birth to Jiangshan’s unique historical culture, and its history is essentially a chronicle of development in the Jiangnan region.

　　Xiapu Road was a strategic military route. For two thousand years, many significant military events have unfolded here. The armies of Emperor Wu of Han once advanced through this route to attack the Minyue Kingdom. The rebel forces of Huang Chao “carved roads through mountains for 700 li straight to Jianzhou.” Zheng Chenggong used this terrain to block Qing troops from entering Fujian. Shi Dakai and Li Shixian led Taiping troops in fierce battles against Qing forces here. During the Anti-Japanese War, Japanese troops were forced to retreat before the pass.

　　Xiapu Road was also a vital trade route. Also known as the Jiangpu Post Road or the Zhejiang–Fujian Official Road, it was the only overland official route from Zhejiang into Fujian in ancient times, serving as a key land hub of the Maritime Silk Road and a bustling commercial artery. Silks and ceramics produced in the Jiangnan region were often transported through this road to Guangzhou and Fujian’s seaports before being shipped overseas. Local products from Fujian, as well as imported goods such as spices, ivory, and rhinoceros horns transshipped through Fujian, were also sent inland via this route.

　　Xiapu Road is a road of classical poetry. The grand scenery, majestic passes, and scenic wonders of Xiapu Road attracted many literati and poets throughout history. They came to admire the mountains and left behind more than 2,000 poems and writings. Literary figures such as Bai Juyi, Wang Anshi, Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, Lu You, and Xin Qiji all visited and composed works here. Modern writers like Yu Dafu and photographers such as Lang Jingshan were also drawn to its fame.

　　Xiapu Road is also known as the “Kūkai Road.” The eminent Japanese monk Kūkai traveled along the Xiapu Road from Fujian into Zhejiang during the 20th year of the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenyuan era, then journeyed north via the Qiantang River and the Grand Canal to the capital. Before and after Kūkai, numerous foreign travelers traversed this road, including the Westerner Heba during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, the famous Italian missionary Matteo Ricci in the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, the Ryukyuan envoy Shō Shun in the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, and the British ambassador George Macartney in the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.

　　Address: Rural Road 426, Jiangshan City, Quzhou, Zhejiang Province

　　Phone: 0570-4881274

　　Transportation: From Quzhou South Station to Jiangshan, take a bus to Bao’an. First departure at 6:00 AM, last at 5:00 PM

　　Opening Hours: 8:00–17:00