Dusongguan and Ancient Postal Road

Dusongguan and the Ancient Postal Road are located at the border of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, sp[...]

Dusongguan and the Ancient Postal Road are located at the border of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, specifically at the Du Song Ridge where Anji and Hangzhou meet. Dusongguan was an important pass for the Southern Song capital, Lin’an (present-day Hangzhou), to defend against northern enemy troops. According to the Tongzhi edition of ‘Anji County Chronicles · Historical Sites,’ it states: ‘Dusongguan was established during the Jianyan period (1127-1130) when troops were raised, and a stone barrier was built, named Dusongguan.’ In the ninth year of the Yongzheng era (1731), the prefect Shen Mengxi built six rooms for dispatching troops, which were repaired in the ninth year of the Xianfeng era (1859) and destroyed in the eleventh year (1861). The Ancient Postal Road was, in fact, the main route of the land shortcut from Lin’an (present-day Hangzhou) to Jiankang (present-day Nanjing). The existing section from Shuangxikou Guanshang Village in Dibu Town, Anji County, to Dusong Village in Baizhang Town, Yuhang District, is approximately 1200 meters long. The ‘New Book of Tang · Geographical Records’ mentions: ‘In the second year of the Baoli era (826), Yuhang County Magistrate Yao built a causeway, connecting the northwestern main road, which was more than a hundred miles long, wide, and straight, eliminating the troubles of mountains and waters for travelers.’ The ‘Yuanhe County Map Records’ state that the Hangzhou-Xuanzhou postal road, from Hangzhou north to Xuanzhou, is 496 miles long, with post stations set up before the Ming Dynasty. Dusongguan was one of the post stations during the Song and Yuan periods. The Guangxu edition of ‘Xiao Feng County Chronicles’ records: ‘Dusongguan is on Du Song Ridge, from Tianmu Ridge to the north, with multiple ridges and streams, circling for hundreds of miles, with Du Song Ridge standing out among them. The ridge road is dangerous and narrow, with the southeast side leading directly to Lin’an, and the northwest side leading to Anji and then to Guangde, making it a place where infantry and cavalry from Jiangsu and Zhejiang compete.’ The existing section of Dusongguan and the Ancient Postal Road from Shuangxikou Guanshang Village in Dibu Town to Dusong Village in Baizhang Town, Yuhang District, still retains the charm of the ancient postal road, with beautiful scenery and well-preserved historical appearance, and it remains a small path between villages to this day. The site is open all year round and accessible 24/7.


Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *