Shihao Section of Xiaohan Ancient Route
崤函古道石壕段遗址
A component of the Silk Roads World Heritage. Deep wheel ruts in the limestone road surface bear witness to the traffic between the Han and Tang capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang.
The Xiaohan Ancient Road was a major route linking Chang'an and Luoyang. The Shihao section lies about 2 km southwest of Shihao Village in Xiashi Township, Shanzhou District. It preserves a stretch of limestone road running northwest to southeast. Centuries of traffic have worn deep ruts into the surface, and there are also hoofprints, water reservoirs and holes for boat trackers' handrails. In 2014, the route was included in the World Heritage listing 'Silk Roads: the Chang'an–Tianshan Corridor Road Network'. Du Fu's poem 'The Officer of Shihao' was written nearby. The site is about 40 km from the city and requires a car. It is modest in scale, so it suits history enthusiasts who make a dedicated trip.
Opening hours
Open during the day (check on site)