Hiking Guide to the Ancient Shu Road! An Epic Route Every Chinese Must Take!
Preface
More than 1,200 years ago, the exiled immortal Li Bai sighed, "The difficulty of the Shu Road is harder than climbing to the sky!", leaving the name of this ancient road deeply imprinted on the foundation of Chinese culture. Du Fu, Lu You, Wang Bo, Li Shangyin... Since ancient times, literati who came to Shu have all used poetry to praise its steepness and magnificence. 
An ancient Shu Road, half of China's history.
It is not only a major transportation route for people to connect, but also a cultural treasure that reflects the continuity and unity of Chinese civilization. It is called the "living fossil of ancient land transportation."
From the dawn to the dusk, a thousand years have passed in a day. It has flourished and it has also been silent. Now this cultural artery has regained its vitality as time goes by. 
Today, let us re-understand this
pilgrimage road that belongs to us Chinese people,
the Shu Road. Is it difficult and worth walking?
What is the pilgrimage route?
Originally, pilgrimages were journeys to holy sites for worship or prayer, driven by spiritual pursuits or religious beliefs. Later, they gained broader meanings, encompassing natural exploration, cultural curiosity, and personal growth. 
Pilgrimages are not only about following faith but also about exploring the traces of civilization. Famous pilgrimage routes include the Kailash circumambulation, the Wutai Mountain pilgrimage, the Spanish Camino de Santiago, and the Kumano Kodo in Japan.
What is the Shu Road?
/ Background of the Shu Road
The Sichuan Basin's unique topography has protected areas like the Chengdu Plain like infants, nurturing the "Land of Abundance" with its natural defenses. This has also resulted in relative isolation and isolation.
Access to Sichuan primarily lies along the Yangtze River in the east and along mountainous routes in the north, making the Shu Road a battleground for military strategists throughout history.
/ The Pattern of Shu Road
The Shu Road was the lifeline of transportation connecting the ancient Central Plains center with the Bashu area. Due to the relocation of the capital, war needs and trade exchanges, it was repaired and diverted many times throughout the dynasties. Eventually, it crossed the Qinling Mountains in the north and the Daba Mountains in the south. It was also divided into the Qishan Road and the Yinping Road. It only played a significant role in wars and had little effect in normal times.
/ How long is the Shu Road?
The total length of the Shu Road is about 3,000 kilometers. According to the latest report of "Archaeology China", a total of 2,073 kilometers of the Shu Road have been surveyed so far, with 1,034 cultural relics of various types distributed along the route and 297 newly discovered cultural relics.
/ How long is the Shu Road?
The origins of the Shu Road remain uncertain, but archaeological evidence based on microliths unearthed along the route suggests it existed approximately 6,000 to 7,000 years ago, making it roughly the same age as Chinese civilization. According to historical records such as the "Records of the Grand Historian" and the "Book of Documents," the Shu Road was already accessible by the time King Wu defeated King Zhou, making it over 3,000 years old.
/ The status of Shu Road
It was the Qin Dynasty that truly established the Shu Road as a national artery. In 316 BC, Qin generals Sima Cuo and Zhang Yi marched south along the Shu Road to conquer the states of Ba and Shu. As the Qin Dynasty strengthened its control of Ba and Shu (including the construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System by Li Bing and his son), the area became a strategic rear base for the Qin Dynasty, providing it with food and military manpower, as well as forging weapons. 
This enabled the Qin Dynasty to conquer the six states and unify China. After the establishment of the Qin Dynasty, the Shu Road was incorporated into the system of direct roads connecting all parts of the country. Later generations optimized, expanded, and adapted the route based on the Qin foundations, giving it a history of 2,300 years, making it one of the oldest official roads in the world.
With the opening of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Highway in 1936, the Shu Road served as a major 
north-south artery connecting the north and south for over 2,200 years, making it the world's longest-running official road. It served as a link between the Yangtze River and Yellow River civilizations, connecting the northern and southern Silk Roads. It served as a crucial route for transitioning China's geographical and ecological systems, and is one of the earliest surviving large-scale transportation sites, even older than the ancient Roman roads.
Why is the Ancient Shu Road considered a pilgrimage route for the Chinese?
The Shu Road is not only a geographical barrier
but also a spiritual totem of Chinese civilization.
It carries war and peace, suffering and poetry, faith and integration, and has become a "pilgrimage road" for Chinese people to trace their historical roots. While walking along it, every step is a dialogue with the ancestors, and every scene is a footnote to civilization.
// War Pilgrimage: The most dangerous "War Road"
Bronze swords and the smoke of war once tore open a rift in history here. The "Huayang Guozhi" records that "there were five strong men in Shu who could move mountains and lift tens of thousands of pounds." King Huiwen of Qin once ordered the creation of five stone bulls, falsely claiming that "the bulls were gold." The king then dispatched the five strong men to carve a mountain road to welcome the bulls into Shu, forming the "Golden Bull Road," the oldest road in the Shu Road system. 
Although this is a strange story, it indirectly reflects the exchanges between Shu and Qin, and the dangers faced by early craftsmen when carving mountains. For thousands of years, this place has witnessed one turning point after another in history, from the Qin Dynasty's conquest of Bashu, the Chu-Han contention, the Three Kingdoms period, the Southern Song Dynasty's resistance against the Mongols, and the Red Army's surprise attack on Jianmen Pass.
// Religious Pilgrimage: The Deepest "Cultural Avenue"
This route connected the Central Plains with the southwest. Northern architectural styles, music, and dance flourished in Shu, while southern cultural arts like painting and poetry also spread northward along the Shu Road, enriching the diversity of Chinese culture and promoting its shared prosperity. 
The ancient Shu Road not only facilitated cultural exchange between the north and south but also played an irreplaceable role in the spread of Buddhism and Taoism, earning it the title of a cultural thoroughfare for Chinese poetry and art.
// Ecological Pilgrimage: The Greenest "Ecological Avenue"
Along the Cuiyun Corridor, the ancient Shu Road centered on the ancient city of Jianzhou, 20,973 artificially planted cypresses guard the 150-kilometer route. Most of these trees remain lush and green despite years of wind and rain. Rainwater dripping from their branches has punctured countless deep holes in the bluestone of the Shu Road. 
Since the Qin Dynasty, Cuiyun Corridor has undergone at least seven large-scale artificial plantings. The cypresses' tall, lush growth, long lifespan, and elegant fragrance make them an ideal choice for street trees.
To protect the cypresses of Cuiyun Corridor, Jianzhou Governor Li Bi issued a decree as early as the Ming Dynasty, prohibiting the unauthorized felling of cypresses by both officials and the public. 
This decree established a system whereby each cypress tree, along with its official seal, would be handed over with the official seal upon the change of local officials. This system continues to this day, and each ancient cypress tree now bears a unique "identity QR code" detailing its age, height, responsible unit, and individual, ensuring its proper protection. “ 
Human planting and protection have enabled the ancient cypresses to continue to flourish after thousands of years. The ancient cypresses stand quietly beside the ancient Shu Road, shielding humans from wind and rain and witnessing the changes of the times.
Tracing the Shu Road, a tourist-friendly route
Tourists has launched a new cultural hiking route, "Tracing the Shu Road." This 2-star entry-level route boasts a low crowd rate, a pleasant experience, and a well-planned itinerary. The hike is both short and strenuous, suitable for ages 8-65. Guests will also receive a custom soft backpack, headscarf, exclusive badge, completion certificate, souvenir, and a special tofu feast.
Beyond exploring the three authentic Shu Road sections of Guloupu, Chaoshoupu, and Gaomiaopu, and the four historical sites of Cuiyun Corridor, Jianmen Pass, Thousand Buddha Cliff, and Huangze Temple, there are even more hidden gems to discover.
Jianmen Pass
Jianmen Pass is an important pass on the Shu Road, known as the "First Pass in the World". The mountains here are steep and the peaks are overlapping, making the pass majestic and magnificent. You can climb Jianmen Pass to feel the dangerous terrain and appreciate the vicissitudes of ancient wars, as if you are in the long river of history, and understand the important position of the Shu Road in military defense.
Cuiyun Corridor
Stroll along Cuiyun Corridor, marveling at the towering, green cypresses that shade the sun, and immersing yourself in the tranquility and peace of the Shu Road. These ancient cypresses bear witness to the thousand-year history of the Shu Road, each with its own story. Here, you can slow down and listen to the sound of the wind through the leaves, as if in a dialogue with history, feeling the vicissitudes of time.
Zhaohua Ancient City
Originally built during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Jiameng was once the capital of the State of Zhu. In 316 BC, after the Qin Dynasty conquered Shu, it also destroyed the State of Zhu. Jiameng County, one of China's earliest county seats, was established here, earning it the reputation of "the first county in Bashu." In 
the 16th year of Jian'an in the Eastern Han Dynasty (211 AD), Liu Bei stationed his troops here, using it as a base to capture Chengdu and establish the Shu Han dynasty. Hence, it became known as the "Second Capital of Shu."
Thousand Buddha Cliff
Located on the east bank of the Jialing River in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, the Guangyuan Thousand Buddha Cliffs are the largest and oldest grotto complex in Sichuan. Initially excavated in the late Northern Wei Dynasty (approximately the late 5th to early 6th century AD), they underwent continuous excavation and renovation throughout the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, spanning nearly 1,500 years. 
During the construction of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Highway in 1935, over half of the statues were destroyed by blasting the cliffs to open the road. Currently, over 950 niches and 7,900 statues remain. Located along the Jinniu Road on the ancient Shu Highway, the Thousand Buddha Cliffs served as a hub for the spread of Buddhism and a testament to the cultural integration between northern and southern China.
Huangze Temple
Huangze Temple, originally named "Wunu Temple" or "Chuanzhu Temple," was built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty to commemorate the flood control achievements of Li Bing and his son. After Wu Zetian ascended to the throne, she expanded the temple and bestowed the name "Huangze" to commemorate her birthplace, implying "the emperor's grace extends to his hometown." 
The Tang Dynasty Great Buddha Cave (Cave 28) features Amitabha Buddha as the primary deity, with relief carvings of the Eight Immortals on the back wall. The statues are meticulously proportioned, with flowing draperies, setting a prime example of early Tang Buddhist sculpture and testifying to the spread of Pure Land beliefs during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.
Conclusion
As a pilgrimage route for the Chinese people, the Ancient Shu Road
holds immense historical, cultural, artistic, and ecological value. 
It has witnessed the development and transformation of the Chinese nation
and is an important symbol of Chinese civilization.
Whether you're a scholar interested in history and culture
or a traveler enamored with nature,
the Ancient Shu Road is worth a visit. 
Let's pack our bags and
embark on this fascinating journey
to explore the mysteries of the Ancient Shu Road,
experience its unique charm,
and experience a spiritual baptism and sublimation.
