The Millennium Fortress of the Plateau: Songpan Ancient City and the Legend of Princess Wencheng

The "Gateway to Western Sichuan" on the Plateau

1.Located in: Jin'an Town, Songpan County, within the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, Songpan Ancient City (also known as Songzhou Ancient City) stands as a monumental historical landmark on the northwestern Sichuan plateau. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,850 meters, it has been a strategic military fortress and a vital trading hub for centuries, earning the reputation of being the "Gateway to Western Sichuan" and the "Throat of Sichuan and Gansu." Unlike many ancient towns that have become purely commercial, Songpan retains a rugged, authentic atmosphere where the roaring Minjiang River flows past heavy city walls that have withstood the test of time. The city serves as a crucial stopover on the famous "Nine-Yellow" (Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong) tourist circuit, offering travelers a fascinating blend of history, culture, and high-altitude scenery without the severe altitude sickness often found deeper in the plateau,.

A Masterpiece of Ming Dynasty Architecture

2.The defining feature of: Songpan is its majestic City Wall, which is considered one of the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty ancient city walls in China. Originally built in 1379 (the 12th year of the Hongwu reign) by the Ming general Lan Yu, the wall was constructed using giant blue stone strips and yellow earth packed with sticky rice water, creating a fortification so solid that "one man could guard the pass, and ten thousand could not open it." The wall stretches for over 6.2 kilometers, with a height of 12.5 meters and a thickness of over 10 meters. Today, visitors can still see the imposing East, South, West, and North gates. The East Gate (Yixi Gate) is particularly spectacular, where visitors can climb up and even experience the unique activity of riding horses along the top of the wall, looking down at the bustling streets inside and the rolling mountains outside,.

3.The Romance of Princess: Wencheng and the Tea Horse Road

Songpan is steeped in the legendary romance of Princess Wencheng and the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. In 641 AD, during the Tang Dynasty, Princess Wencheng passed through Songzhou on her way to Tibet for a political marriage that would cement peace between the Tang and Tubo empires. At the North Gate, a magnificent statue of the royal couple stands as a symbol of this historic union and the harmony between the Han and Tibetan people. Historically, Songpan was also a pivotal hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road and the Tang-Tubo Ancient Road. For centuries, caravans laden with tea, silk, and cloth from the Sichuan basin traded here for horses and furs from the grasslands. This legacy of trade has fostered a unique multi-ethnic community where Tibetan, Qiang, Hui, and Han cultures coexist, evident in the diverse architecture, food, and festivals found within the city walls,.

A Mosaic of Culture and Red History

4.Walking through the streets of: Songpan, visitors are immersed in a vibrant cultural tapestry. You can see ancient bridges spanning the Minjiang River, visit the Gucheng Mosque which blends Islamic and Chinese architectural styles, and explore local shops selling yak jerky, silver jewelry, and Tibetan crafts. The city also holds a significant place in modern history as a key site of the Red Army's Long March. From 1935 to 1936, the Red Army passed through Songpan, holding important meetings and resting before facing the treacherous grasslands. To commemorate this, the Red Army Long March Monument Park was built in the city (specifically in Chuanzhusi nearby, but the history permeates Songpan), standing as a tribute to their resilience. Whether you are watching a bonfire party with Guozhuang dancing at night or sipping tea in an old courtyard, Songpan offers a profound connection to the past,,.