The Ancient Sanchuan Site

　　The Ancient Sanchuan Site, a historical and cultural heritage site, is a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit. It is located in Leigutai Village, Yangpingguan Town, Ningqiang County, Shaanxi Province, approximately 100 kilometers from Hanzhong City. The ancient Sanchuan County was established in the early Tang Dynasty. Despite the turmoil and fragmentation during the late Tang and Five Dynasties periods, the name and administrative center of the county remained unchanged. Due to the military need to govern unrest in Shu during ancient times, in the fifth year of the Qiande era (967 AD) during the Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin decreed that Sanchuan County be directly under the jurisdiction of the capital. In the second year of the Zhide era (996 AD), Sanchuan County was elevated to establish the Da’an Military Prefecture. After several promotions and consolidations, it was not until the 20th year of the Zhiyuan era (1283 AD) during the Yuan Dynasty that Sanchuan County was merged due to strategic considerations. Sanchuan County pioneered the precedent of a centrally administered county directly under the central government in Chinese history, and its 137 years of direct governance from the capital can be considered unprecedented. The ancient Sanchuan County was not only strategically important but also renowned for its beautiful scenery. The Jialing River rushes around from the northwest, with steep cliffs along the riverbanks forming a natural barrier. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, many famous scholars and literati have written poems and essays about the scenery of Sanchuan. Lu You of the Southern Song Dynasty wrote: “River clouds hang low over the beach, the wind rushes fiercely, just like the time I ascended the gorges two years ago.” He compared the scenery of Sanchuan to that of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. In recent years, many precious cultural relics such as the "Imperial Edict on the Emperor’s Farming Ceremony," the "Ritual Regulations Decree," and Song Dynasty porcelain have been unearthed at the Sanchuan Site.