When is the best time to visit the Southwest Silk Road?

The best time for the Southwest Silk Road: pleasant seasons.

When it comes to the Silk Road, people will think of the Gobi Desert beyond the Great Wall, where business travelers trudge in the moonlight and monotonous camel bells. Maybe you don't know, as early as before the opening of the world-famous Northwest Silk Road, there was another folk commercial road quietly carrying out economic and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. This is the Southwest Silk Road that we want to show you.

Southwest Silk Road

The Southwest Silk Road consists of three trunk lines in China, with a total length of more than 2,000 kilometers. One starts from Chengdu, Sichuan, and passes through Yibin, Zhaotong, Qujing, Kunming, Chuxiong, Nanhua and Yunnan to Dali; One starts from the south of Chengdu and passes through Qionglai, Ya 'an, Lingguan, Xichang and Yao 'an to Dali, also called Lingguan Road. Thirdly, after the confluence of the above two rivers, the section from Baoshan to Myanmar is called Yongchang Road to the west, passing through Yangbi, Yongping, Baoshan and Tengchong. Chengdu is the starting point of the Southwest Silk Road and Tengchong is the last stop of the Southwest Silk Road. After the Yuan Dynasty unified Yunnan, 78 post stations were set up in various provinces, among them, from Zhongqing (now Kunming) to Dali, passing through Lufeng, Ludian, Wei Chu, Shaque, Peng Pu and Baishanshi. With the changes of the times, they are called ponds, shops, sentries, customs and post offices.

This ancient road is a rare cultural heritage, some of which have been listed as historical and cultural protection units, but the whole line has not been uniformly planned and protected. It is suggested that the Southern Silk Road should be included in the cultural heritage, the existing sections should be surveyed, the overall planning and protection should be made, and tourism should be developed. Hengduan mountain range, which is composed of a series of north-south mountain canyons, has a unique geographical structure, forming a rich and colorful natural landscape and containing a large number of precious rare animals and plants. Since prehistoric times, it has been a good channel for all ethnic groups in China to migrate back and forth. Up to now, there are still more than ten ethnic minorities living here, including Qiang, Yi, Tibetan, Hui, Bai, Dai, Bo, Pumi, Achang, De 'ang and Jingpo. The Southwest Silk Road, developed on the basis of this ancient ethnic corridor, starts from the rich Chengdu Plain, passes through Yunnan, enters Myanmar, then reaches India, and then reaches Central Asia and Europe. The land silk road in the northwest, the maritime silk road in the south and the land silk road in the southwest developed the earliest and opened in the fourth century BC. In the Han Dynasty, this Silk Road was called "Shu Shendu Road". Shu is Sichuan, which is the ancient name of India. It refers to the trade route from Sichuan to India via Yunnan and Myanmar. The remains of the "Ancient Southwest Silk Road" in western Yunnan are mainly located in Shuizhai, Guanpo in Baoshan City and Bonan Mountain in Dali Prefecture.

Southwest Silk Road Site

1986 In the summer, a large number of exquisite bronzes and scallops from the warm waters of Myanmar and India were found in the Sanxingdui cultural site in Guanghan, not far from the northern suburbs of Chengdu, which strongly proved the extremely high level of ancient Shu culture and had contacts with coastal areas as early as 3,000 years ago.

Among the three major Silk Roads in China (Northwest Silk Road, South Maritime Silk Road and Southwest Silk Road), the Southwest Silk Road developed the earliest and was opened in the 4th century BC. In the Han Dynasty, this Silk Road was called Shu Road, and the water was Sichuan. Shen Du is the ancient name of India, which refers to the trade route from Sichuan to India through Yunnan and Myanmar. This road is usually called the ancient southwest Silk Road in western Yunnan, and its remains are mainly located in Shuizhai, Guanpo in Baoshan City and Bonanshan in Dali Prefecture.

The ancient Southwest Silk Road was formed in the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, more than 200 years before the formation of the Northwest Silk Road in China. Like the Northwest Silk Road, it has made great contributions to world civilization. According to historical records, in 122 BC, Zhang Qian was ordered to go to the western regions (now Afghanistan, Iran and other places), saw Sichuan Shubu and bamboo sticks imported from India, and learned that Sichuan businessmen had already gone to India from Yunnan via Myanmar to engage in trade activities. What Zhang Qian saw and heard when he returned to North Korea was played by Liang Wudi. Liang Wudi, a talented and ambitious man, was very surprised. He is determined to open the official road from southwest to India at all costs, and the government should participate in commercial trade and expand its territory. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty made Zhang a prince, ordered him to take Shu County (where Chengdu is located) and County (where Yibin is located in the southwest) as the stronghold, and sent four emissaries to explore the road separately, but they were all blocked by the southwest ethnic minorities. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty also recruited troops from the mainland to attack many countries and tribes such as Southwest Yi, Yelang and Yunnan. However, due to the deep ethnic gap caused by feudal rulers, and the desperate resistance of ethnic chiefs such as Kunming and Juan to monopolizing the transit trade of the rich, it was more than ten years before the road from Chengdu to Erhai was opened, and the official envoys failed to surpass Dali to Baoshan, so they could only indirectly trade with Indian businessmen through the intermediary of various tribes. In the 12th year of Emperor Yongping of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 69), the Ailao people joined, and the Eastern Han Dynasty began to pass through Bonanshan and cross the Lancang River, so the Yunnan-Myanmar Passage was opened, and there was economic and cultural exchange with the Shan people in Myanmar, and then they entered India through Myanmar. Only when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty diligently begged for Shu, can the national highway be considered smooth.

culture

There are two paths in the Sichuan-Yunnan section of the ancient Southwest Silk Road: one takes the Yak Road (Lingguan Road), starts from Chengdu, passes Shuangliu, Xinjin, _ Ni, Mingshan, Ya 'an, Hanyuan (Xiadu), Yuexi, Xide, Mianning and Xichang, reaches Huili, then turns southwest, passes Panzhihua, crosses Jinsha River and reaches Yunnan. The other road starts from Chengdu, passes through Pengshan, goes down Minjiang River, passes through Leshan and Yibin, then goes south along Wuchi Road excavated in Qin Dynasty, passes through Gaoxian and Junlian, turns westward into Hengjiang Valley, passes through Doushaguan, Daguan, Zhaotong, Qujing and Kunming, and finally reaches Dali. After the two roads meet in Dali, they reach Ba Maw in Myanmar via Baoshan, Tengchong and Yingjiang, and there are two land routes from Ba Maw to India. Starting from India, you can also pass through Central Asia and Europe. Through the ancient Southwest Silk Road, China's silk, Shu's cloth, bamboo poles, handicrafts, ironware, etc. Constantly exported, while foreign colored glass, precious stones, jadeite and light beads are imported. By the Tang Dynasty, the Silk Road was more prosperous and lasting. It is the earliest link between China and India, two ancient civilizations, and has made important contributions to social, economic and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. But later, due to the discovery and development of new roads, this ancient road gradually became sparsely populated.

Most of the roads along the ancient Southwest Silk Road have been submerged in the storm of time, but some dangerous roads, mule's hoof prints and poetry inscriptions still leave a deep historical mark. The most typical examples are Jin Lan's old capital in Baoshan, Jihongqiao site and cliff poems and inscriptions nearby. Baoshan's Shuizhai, Guanzhuang and other road sections are all roadbed formed by artificial rock drilling in those years, and they have been well preserved so far. The first section of the water village runs from Lancang River to Changwan, about 10 km long. At first, there were stations such as Pingwa, Shandapu and Shuizhaipu. There are still small streets 3 meters wide and 50 meters long, with street gates and other relics at both ends. From Pingpo West to Luoyang Mountain and then to Shuizhai, the section of Dashikan on the mountainside, which is three or four kilometers long, was cut on the cliffs. The path is steep and winding, with more than 500 steps like a ladder, which is called Tiyun Road in history. There are still many hoof prints of mules and horses climbing on the stone steps, the deepest of which is 13 cm, which shows how difficult it was to climb this road in those years! ?

history

1._ Road (1) ancient road name. During the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties, the rulers built a road leading to the place where _ nationalities lived. Li Bing of Qin was punctual for Shu (about 256 BC ~ 2565438 BC+0 BC), and built a road leading to Yibin City, the center where _ nationalities live in compact communities, and opened the road between Shu and _. This road is called _ road in history. After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, he sent generals. Road _, which is connected with Li Bing, extends southwest from _ Middle School, that is, Yibin city center, and has been repaired to Qujing, Yunnan, with a total length of more than 2,000 miles. Because this road is built in _ home settlement, it is called _ road. Because the road is five feet wide, it is called five-foot road in history. Abandoned at the end of Qin Dynasty and the beginning of Han Dynasty, Emperor Wudi reopened and named Nanyi Road. (2) The ancient county was named Han (another name was Qin) (see _ Dao County).

Five-foot road ancient road name. After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, an important road from the Sichuan Basin to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau was built on the basis of the Li Bing Grand Passage in order to strengthen the connection between the Central Plains and the southwest region. Historical Records Biography of Southwest Yi: Qin Chang? Knowing Wuchi Road is quite a collector in China. Because the road is five feet wide, it is called five-foot road in history; Because there is a road, the place where _ ethnic groups live in compact communities is also called _ road. It starts from Yibin City in the north and ends in Qujing, Yunnan Province in the south, with a total length of more than 2,000 miles. "Local Records Editing and Correction" said: Five feet went to Langzhou. It is the predecessor of the South Post Road in the Western Han Dynasty and Shimen Road in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and is now called the East Road of the Southwest Silk Road.

Shimen road ancient road name. The important road from Sichuan Basin to Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in Sui and Tang Dynasties. It was built on the basis of Wuchi Road opened by the Qin Dynasty. Starting from Yibin City, Sichuan Province, it passes through Shimen Mountain, Gaoxian County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, and reaches Kunming and Dali in Yunnan Province in the south. The traffic between the Tang Dynasty and Nanzhao passed through this road, which is now called the Southwest Silk Road.

2. According to historical records, during the Warring States period, due to the expansion of the Qin State, the ancient Qiang people were forced to go down Hengduan Mountain and became the main ancestors of many ethnic groups and their branches such as Tibet, Tibet and Pumi. Wuchi Road, opened to the south by Chang 'an, the general of Qin State, is the development of the Southwest Silk Road managed by the central government. At the end of the 4th century BC, the remnants of Shu State, destroyed by Qin State, fled south along the ancient road, and established Wenlang State in present-day northern Vietnam, bringing the splendid Bashu culture to the southwest. In ancient tombs in Sichuan and Yunnan, glazed beads imported from West Asia during this period were also found.

In the 2nd century BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Bo Wanghou Zhang Qian to the Western Regions. When he finally arrived in Afghanistan, he was surprised to find Sichuan specialty Shubu and Qiong pig's paw sold by businessmen through India. Obviously, the unknown pioneers have opened a road connecting South Asia and West Asia in China. Later, the Han dynasty fully exploited the southwest, set up officials and offices in various places, and built post roads, so that the Han nationality with Central Plains civilization reached the Yunnan-Myanmar border. During the Shu-Han period, Kongming's expedition to the south further strengthened the flesh-and-blood ties between fraternal peoples.

From the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Song Dynasty, there were frequent wars on the ancient road, and the south of the Dadu River was under the rule of Nanzhao and Dali, Yunnan local governments, for a long time. In the Tang Dynasty, the Northwest Silk Road reached its peak, and its reputation covered up the older Southwest Silk Road. In the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan led his troops south to Hengduan Mountains and captured the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The management of southwest frontier in Ming Dynasty was very successful, especially the brave general Deng Zilong led a good soldier to save the frontier, which made great contributions to quelling the rebellion.

After the Song and Ming Dynasties, due to the prosperity of the Maritime Silk Road, the Southwest Silk Road gradually became silent. However, ethnic migration, commercial trade, religious exchanges and military activities on the ancient road have never stopped, and they still play a role in foreign exchanges. During World War II, the China-Myanmar-India Highway built along the ancient road trunk line became the only international passage in China at that time, which played an extremely important role in the anti-fascist war.

The Southwest Silk Road starts from Sichuan, takes the Five Equators in the southeast and Lingguan Road in the southwest respectively, and finally joins Dali, then goes west from Dali, passes through Yangbi County and enters Bonanshan District. Bonan is a county name that began to be used in 1 century. It is located in Yongping today. This mountain road was built on the order of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty around 105 BC (then called Bonanshan Road). The ancient road crossed the Lancang River westward and entered Baoshan area. Baoshan was the seat of Yongchang County and Yongchang Prefecture in ancient times, and it was also the main area where the Silk Road passed, so "Yongchang Road" was the name of this ancient road.

Through the "Ancient Southwest Silk Road", China's silk, Shu cloth, bamboo poles, handicrafts, ironware, etc. Constantly exporting and importing foreign colored glass, precious stones, jadeite and light beads. By the Tang Dynasty, the Silk Road was more prosperous and lasting. But later, due to the discovery and development of new roads, this ancient road gradually became sparsely populated. Most of the roads along the ancient Southwest Silk Road have been submerged in the storm of time, but some dangerous roads, mule's hoof prints and poetry inscriptions still leave a deep historical mark. Baoshan's Shuizhai, Guanzhuang and other road sections are all roadbed formed by artificial rock drilling in those years, and they have been well preserved so far. The first section of the water village runs from Lancang River to Changwan, about 10 km long. At first, there were stations such as Pingwa, Shandapu and Shuizhaipu. There are still small streets 3 meters wide and 50 meters long, with street gates and other relics at both ends. From Pingpo West to Luoyang Mountain and then to Shuizhai, the section of Dashikan on the mountainside, which is three or four kilometers long, was cut on the cliffs. The path is steep and winding, with more than 500 steps like a ladder, which is called "ladder cloud road" in history. There are still many hoof prints of mules and horses on the stone steps, and the deepest one is 13 cm.

Introduction to the ruins and scenic spots of the ancient Southwest Silk Road

The Southwest Silk Road was called Shu Shendu Road in the Western Han Dynasty. It started in Chengdu, Sichuan Province and ended in India today. Its route consists of Lingguan Road, Wuchi Road and Yongchang Road.

Lingguan Road: Chengdu (ancient Shudu), Qionglai (ancient Linqiong), Ya 'an (ancient Qingyi), Yingjing (ancient flue), Hanyuan (ancient Zhaidu), Xichang (ancient Du Qiong), Dayao (ancient Qingling), Dali (ancient Yuye).

Wuchi Road: Yibin, Chengdu (Ancient Road), Zhaotong, Yunnan (Ancient Bamboo Ladder), Weining, Guizhou (Yelang Ancient Country), Qujing, Yunnan (Gu Wei County), Kunming (Ancient Dianchi Lake), Chuxiong and Dali.

Yongchang Road: Yongping, Dali (Gubonan), Baoshan (Guyongchang), Tengchong (Gutengyue), Myanmar and India.

There are two paths in the Sichuan-Yunnan section of the ancient Southwest Silk Road: one takes the Yak Road (Lingguan Road), starts from Chengdu, passes Shuangliu, Xinjin, _ Ni, Mingshan, Ya 'an, Hanyuan (Xiadu), Yuexi, Xide, Mianning and Xichang, reaches Huili, then turns southwest, passes Panzhihua, crosses Jinsha River and reaches Yunnan. The other road starts from Chengdu, passes through Pengshan, goes down Minjiang River, passes through Leshan and Yibin, then goes south along Wuchi Road excavated in Qin Dynasty, passes through Gaoxian and Junlian, turns westward into Hengjiang Valley, passes through Doushaguan, Daguan, Zhaotong, Qujing and Kunming, and finally reaches Dali. After the two roads meet in Dali, they reach Ba Maw in Myanmar via Baoshan, Tengchong and Yingjiang, and there are two land routes from Ba Maw to India. Starting from India, you can also pass through Central Asia and Europe. Through the ancient Southwest Silk Road, China's silk, Shu's cloth, bamboo poles, handicrafts, ironware, etc. Constantly exported, while foreign colored glass, precious stones, jadeite and light beads are imported. By the Tang Dynasty, the Silk Road was more prosperous and lasting. It is the earliest link between China and India, two ancient civilizations, and has made important contributions to social, economic and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. But later, due to the discovery and development of new roads, this ancient road gradually became sparsely populated.

Most of the roads along the ancient Southwest Silk Road have been submerged in the storm of time, but some dangerous roads, mule's hoof prints and poetry inscriptions still leave a deep historical mark. The most typical examples are Jin Lan's old capital in Baoshan, Jihongqiao site and cliff poems and inscriptions nearby. Baoshan's Shuizhai, Guanzhuang and other road sections are all roadbed formed by artificial rock drilling in those years, and they have been well preserved so far. The first section of the water village runs from Lancang River to Changwan, about 10 km long. At first, there were stations such as Pingwa, Shandapu and Shuizhaipu. There are still small streets 3 meters wide and 50 meters long, with street gates and other relics at both ends. From Pingpo West to Luoyang Mountain and then to Shuizhai, the section of Dashikan on the mountainside, which is three or four kilometers long, was cut on the cliffs. The path is steep and winding, with more than 500 steps like a ladder, which is called Tiyun Road in history. There are still many hoof prints of mules and horses climbing on the stone steps, the deepest of which is 13 cm, which shows how difficult it was to climb this road in those years!

Ancient Southwest Silk Road and Religious Mysteries

According to historical records and the study of ancient cultural relics, people have always believed that the Buddhist images originated in India were brought into the Central Plains by Wan Li, a quicksand on the Silk Road in the western regions, by a desert boat in the hinterland of the Asian continent and by camels. Xinjiang is the only place where the Silk Road in the Western Regions passes, and there are cultural relics reflecting the contents of Buddhism. Among them, 1959 found two pieces of white and blue Laval cotton cloth in a couple's tomb next to the site of Bena in Minfeng County, Xinjiang, and a box with a length and width of 32 cm was printed on the lower left corner of one of them, which contained a bust Buddha statue. However, a cliff carving located in the easternmost part of Chinese mainland, near the Yellow Sea, has made some people question this overconfident view, that is, the cliff statue of Kongwangshan. This statue is a Buddhist statue carved in the Eastern Han Dynasty, 200 years earlier than Dunhuang! In these images, we can clearly identify the images related to Buddhism, such as standing Buddha, sitting Buddha, Buddha map, story map of giving one's life to feed the tiger, etc. The Buddhist content of Kongwangshan Cliff, which has been silent for more than 1800 years, has been interpreted. It left historians with a huge historical mystery: Since Buddhism was introduced to China through the Silk Road in the Western Regions, why did Buddhism spread in the early stage in Kongwangshan area on the eastern coast of China, where the Silk Road could not reach? Why did Buddhist statues fly over the Western Regions, Hexi Corridor and the Central Plains, and first appeared in the easternmost part of the mainland?