The Ancient Salt Horse Road from Shaxi Ancient Town to Mapingguan Village and Mijing Village

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Chinese Name:沙溪茶马古道：沙溪古镇-马坪关村-弥井村
English Name:The Ancient Tea Horse Road from Shaxi Ancient Town to Mijing Village

The Ancient Salt Horse Road –Mijing Village: A Historical Connection to Salt

Mijing Village has a deep historical connection to salt, once thriving as a major center of salt production in the northwest region of Yunnan. It was one of the four significant salt wells in the region, alongside Nuodeng Well, Qiaohou Well, and Laji Well. Over the years, Mijing has transformed into a quiet, rustic village, rich in historical and cultural heritage.

Natural Beauty and Tranquility

Nestled beside mountains and rivers, Mijing Village is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. The ancient trees and streams around the village create a serene and picturesque environment. The village itself is spread out on both sides of the Misha River, with its deep alleys, traditional Bai ethnic houses, and weathered old walls giving visitors a sense of stepping back in time.

Historical Roots

According to historical records, Mijing has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. The village’s long history has endowed it with a timeless charm. As you walk through the village, you can often see smooth bluestone roads winding through, leading in and out of the village. These stones, worn smooth over time, have witnessed the passage of countless caravans and the village’s former bustling trade.

The Salt Industry’s Prominence

Salt played a crucial role in Mijing’s history. In the past, the abundant salt mines made Mijing a prosperous hub, with markets held every three days and bustling trade that lasted through the night. Since the Tang Dynasty, Jianchuan County had been engaged in salt production, and Misha was home to a significant salt well known as Bang Miquan Well. During the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, various official positions were established here to manage salt production and trade. The Misha Salt Well was considered the “mother well,” overseeing nearby “subordinate wells” like Qiaohou Well, Yunlong La Well, and others.

The Legend of Misha Well

According to local legend, the early inhabitants of Mijing lived on the mountainside and were unaware of the salt well’s existence. One day, a woman noticed that her cow often wandered down the mountain to drink from a salt spring. Curious, she followed the cow and discovered the Misha Well, leading to the development of the village’s prosperous salt industry.

The Ancient Salt Horse Road

Mijing is separated from Shaxi Ancient Town by only one mountain. The salt produced in Mijing was transported along the Salt Horse Road by caravans to Shaxi, where it was traded and distributed to distant regions.

Cultural Heritage

As time has passed and the era has changed, Mijing is no longer the bustling center it once was. However, the village’s rich historical and cultural atmosphere still tells the story of its vibrant past. The village preserves several historical sites, including the Salt Mother Temple, the Three Saints Palace, Zhaoying Temple, and an ancient opera stage.

Annual “Salt Mother” Cultural Festival

Every year, on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, Mijing Village holds its traditional “Salt Mother” cultural festival. During this event, villagers dress in festive attire, sing and dance, and perform traditional acts such as bullfighting, dragon dancing, and lion dancing to honor the Salt Mother and pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.

The Ancient Salt Horse Road –Mapingguan Village

Geography and Climate

• Location: Mapingguan Village is located in a mountainous area, 13 kilometers from the village committee and 15 kilometers from the town center.
• Area: The village covers a total area of 26.02 square kilometers.
• Altitude: It sits at an elevation of 3,000 meters.
• Climate: The village experiences an average annual temperature of 13°C and receives about 600 millimeters of precipitation annually. These conditions are ideal for growing crops such as kidney beans and potatoes.

Historical Significance

• Establishment: Historically, Shaxi had four external routes, each guarded by a checkpoint. Mapingguan, located on the western route, was the first checkpoint established. In 1369, during the 29th year of the Zhizheng reign in the Yuan Dynasty, the salt tax office was set up in Jianchuan County, marking the official establishment of Mapingguan, then known as “Mapiguan.” This checkpoint served as a salt tax collection point for the government and also functioned as a sentry post and station.
• Proximity: The checkpoint is situated 15 kilometers east of Shaxi and 15 kilometers west of the Mishayanjing salt well, making it the western gateway to Shaxi.
• Population: Over time, the descendants of the original gatekeepers have lived and multiplied in this area, forming a village with 49 households and 219 residents. Today, the village is part of the Mapingguan community under the Ao Feng Village Committee of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County.

Preservation of the Ancient Tea Horse Road

• • Transport: To this day, Mapingguan Village remains inaccessible by road, and villagers continue to interact with the outside world via the ancient Tea Horse Road. The primary means of transportation remains mule caravans, making Mapingguan the only checkpoint among the four that has preserved its original form.
  • Cultural Practices: On market days in Sideng Street, villagers from Mapingguan form temporary mule caravans to transport agricultural products to the market, returning with daily necessities. The 15-kilometer stretch of ancient road between Mapingguan and Sideng Street remains a living part of the historic Tea Horse Road.
  • Historical Figures: During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Duan Liang, a scholar from Jiangwei Village in Shaxi who served as a tutor to Emperor Wanli, was referred to as “the top scholar of the world.” After retiring, Duan Liang returned to Shaxi and reorganized the checkpoints in the steep gorges of the Shaxi mountains. He recruited local villagers to combat robbers and bandits on the ancient road, ensuring its safety. Many of the current residents of Mapingguan with the surname Duan are descendants of those assigned by Duan Liang to guard the checkpoint.

Jianchuan: A Land Steeped in Ancient History and Rich Culture

Jianchuan County, located in the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, is a significant transportation hub along the Southern Silk Road and the Ancient Tea Horse Road. In 1639, the famous Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake visited Jianchuan, staying for four days and meticulously documenting the local customs and traditions. His records provide invaluable insights into Jianchuan’s historical culture and have brought wider recognition to this ancient land.

Jianchuan Ancient Town

Jianchuan Ancient Town was founded during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, over 600 years ago. The town still retains its “chessboard-style” layout, with clear remnants of the old city boundaries, moat, and bridges. The streets and alleys from the Ming and Qing dynasties remain intact, and the West Gate Street’s ancient architectural complex, designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the State Council, showcases the rich architectural heritage of the Bai ethnic group, earning it the title “Museum of Bai Architecture.”

Residents of Jianchuan Ancient Town have a long-standing tradition of composing and inscribing couplets, with festive occasions marked by events centered around these poetic expressions. The town is filled with thought-provoking couplets that reflect its deep cultural roots.

Shaxi Ancient Town

Shaxi Ancient Town is a cultural gem within Jianchuan. Once an important market town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Shaxi served as a major distribution center for salt in Tibet and northwestern Yunnan. Today, walking through Shaxi’s Square Street, one can still feel the echoes of the past, with the grand Qing Dynasty opera stage, century-old stone arch bridge, and well-preserved traditional architecture all bearing witness to its rich history.

Shibaoshan Grottoes

Not far from Shaxi lies Shibaoshan, home to 16 exquisite grottoes carved during the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom periods. These grottoes feature over a hundred statues, primarily depicting royal court life and Buddhist themes. The intricate carvings hold significant artistic and historical value, representing a treasure left behind by the Southern Silk Road.

Southern Silk Road Sub-Museum

Jianchuan’s rich historical and cultural heritage is further honored by its selection as the site of the Southern Silk Road Sub-Museum under the National Chronicles Museum. This is the sixth branch established nationwide and aims to preserve and promote Jianchuan’s historical legacy. Through these museums, the long-lost Southern Silk Road and Ancient Tea Horse Road are brought back to life, thriving once more in the ancient towns and villages of Jianchuan.

Jianchuan: Cultural Jewels in Ethnic Villages

Jianchuan is also home to 25 traditional Chinese villages and three ethnic minority villages, each a cultural gem nestled in the mountains and rivers. These villages showcase a diverse array of ethnic architecture and customs, making Jianchuan a vibrant center of cultural exchange.

Conclusion

Jianchuan, with its rich history, splendid culture, and well-preserved ancient sites, continues to attract visitors eager to explore its historical depth and cultural allure. The local customs and traditions documented by Xu Xiake centuries ag