Guangdong Meiguan Ancient Road (Meiling Ancient Road)

　　The Meiguan Ancient Road is divided into two scenic areas: the one in Nanxiong City, Guangdong in the south, with an entrance fee of 30 yuan, and the one in Dayu County, Jiangxi in the north, with an entrance fee of 25 yuan. The establishment of the pass on the Meiguan Ancient Road began in the Qin Dynasty. Later, the pass building was destroyed in war, so from the Han to the Tang Dynasties, the Meiling area was only known as “Ling” (ridge), without the name “Guan” (pass). It wasn’t until the construction of the pass building during the Jiayou era of the Song Dynasty that it came to be called the Meiguan Ancient Road.

　　The Meiguan Ancient Road is located at the top of Meiling, about 30 kilometers from Nanxiong City, Guangdong. Meiling is part of the Dayuling section of the Five Ridges (Nanling Mountain Range), hence Meiling is also known as 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, hence the name. Through the praise of literati and travelers, the ten-mile plum blossom forest in Meiling became widely known and has been celebrated to this day.

　　The Meiling Ancient Road is the best-preserved ancient post road in the country. The road is about six feet wide, with its surface neatly paved with cobblestones. The sides are lined with lush shrubs, and the cliffs on either side are covered with dense trees, creating layers of verdant hills.

　　The Meiling Ancient Road winds down from Meiling to both the north and the 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. The Meiling Ancient Road is the best-preserved ancient post road in the country. The road is about six feet wide, with its surface neatly paved with cobblestones. The sides are lined with lush shrubs, and the cliffs on either side are covered with dense trees, creating layers of verdant hills. At the foot of the ridge, you can see the horse-watering troughs used by ancient people. A mountain-side pavilion, also called the Laiyan Pavilion, has been built along the road. In the past, there were 136 poetry steles along the way, recording famous quotes and verses from ancient scholars and statesmen, though few remain today.

　　The 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 construct a road through Meiling. Due to the need for economic development, the emperor then ordered the chancellor Zhang Jiuling to oversee the expansion of the Meiling Ancient Road. This massive project, after arduous effort, finally completed the Dayuling Ancient Road. On the new road at the southern foot of the ancient pass, near the Nanshan Mountain, there is a Temple of the Sixth Patriarch and a “Madam Temple.” These were built by later generations to commemorate Zhang Jiuling’s merit of “benefiting the region during his time in office” and to honor Madam Qi Yifen, Zhang’s wife, for supporting her husband’s endeavors—there is also a touching story behind it.

　　The Meiguan Ancient Road is flanked by two peaks, sitting majestically on Meiling, like a city gate separating Guangdong and Jiangxi. The Nanxiong Meiguan has always been a vital north-south transportation route and a strategic military location contested by armies throughout history. Historical records describe Nanxiong as “the head of the Five Ridges, the gateway between Jiang (Jiangxi) and Guang (Guangdong),” and “the throat of the north and south, the shield of 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 gate tower was built during the Jiayou era of the Song Dynasty. It has a brick-and-stone structure and is simple yet majestic. During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, Jiang Jie, the prefect of Nanxiong, erected a plaque on the gate tower. The north-facing plaque reads “Southern Yue Mighty Pass,” while the south-facing plaque says “First Pass of Lingnan.” On the north side of the gate, there is a stone stele 2.4 meters high and 1.4 meters wide, engraved with two bold regular script characters “Mei Ling” (Plum Ridge), each character about 6 square feet in size. This stele was erected by Zhang Fengxiang, the prefect of Nanxiong during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. On either side of the gate tower is a couplet: “Plums quench the traveler’s thirst; the pass guards against marauders.”

　　Meiling, located at the border of Guangdong and Jiangxi, has been famous for its plum blossoms since ancient times. Due to the significant climate difference between the northern and southern parts of the ridge, there is a unique natural phenomenon: “When the southern branches shed their blossoms, the northern ones just begin to bloom.” With its stunning scenery and graceful charm, it has attracted countless literati, poets, and exiled officials throughout history who have sung its praises and expressed their emotions. After the Southern Song Dynasty, Meiling earned the beautiful title of “Plum Country.” The post stations at the foot of the ridge and the pavilions along the road are all nestled among plum blossoms and snow, making it hard to tell which is flower and which is snow—like being in a celestial palace. When the wind blows, it brings waves of fragrance, resembling a sea of fragrant snow.

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

　　This ancient road was opened as early as the Qin and Han Dynasties. During the Qin Dynasty, a pass was established and called the 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 the Left Censor Zhang Jiuling to open up the Meiguan Ancient Road. The project took two years, expanding a narrow mountain path into a wide thoroughfare, 6 meters (two zhang) across, paved with bluestone. Since then, the Meiguan Ancient Road has become a link between the Maritime Silk Road and the overland Silk Road, as well as a connection point between China’s maritime culture and inland culture. It has played a significant role in the development of ancient human civilization in China and even the world.

　　Meiling, where the Meiguan Ancient Road is located, is not only an ancient battlefield but also an area where the Red Army fought numerous battles during the revolutionary war years. Marshal Chen Yi led troops to carry out three years of guerrilla warfare in this region and wrote the heroic poem “Three Chapters of Meiling” in the face of danger. The Meiguan Ancient Road has been rated as one of the first Guangdong Red Tourism Demonstration Bases.

　　The Meiguan Ancient Road is flanked by two peaks, sitting majestically on Meiling, like a city gate separating Guangdong and Jiangxi. The Nanxiong Meiguan has always been a vital north-south transportation route and a strategic military location contested by armies throughout history. Historical records describe Nanxiong as “the head of the Five Ridges, the gateway between Jiang (Jiangxi) and Guang (Guangdong),” and “the throat of the north and south, the shield of 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 gate tower was built during the Jiayou era of the Song Dynasty. It has a brick-and-stone structure and is simple yet majestic. During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, Jiang Jie, the prefect of Nanxiong, erected a plaque on the gate tower. The north-facing plaque reads “Southern Yue Mighty Pass,” while the south-facing plaque says “First Pass of Lingnan.” On the north side of the gate, there is a stone stele 2.4 meters high and 1.4 meters wide, engraved with two bold regular script characters “Mei Ling” (Plum Ridge), each character about 6 square feet in size. This stele was erected by Zhang Fengxiang, the prefect of Nanxiong during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. On either side of the gate tower is a couplet: “Plums quench the traveler’s thirst; the pass guards against marauders.”

　　Transportation Routes

　　By car: Depart from Shaoguan, enter the Shaoguan–Ganzhou Expressway, exit at Meiguan Ancient Road, and turn onto National Highway G323. Drive 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 the square of Shaoguan East Railway Station to Nanxiong City Bus Terminal, then transfer to a local bus to the Meiguan Ancient Road.