Echoes of the Eastern Han: Unveiling the Calligraphic Mastery of Xixia Song

The Ancestor of Han Dynasty Inscriptions

1.Located in the West Gorge of Fish Dragon: Mountain, approximately 13 kilometers west of Cheng County in Longnan, Gansu, the Xixia Song (also known as the Huize Song) is a peerless cultural treasure. Carved in 171 AD during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it is celebrated as one of the "Three Han Songs" of China, standing alongside the Shimen Song and the Fu Song. As a national key cultural relic, it serves as a "living fossil" for scholars and travelers to observe the transition of Chinese scripts from clerical to standard styles.

A Masterpiece of Art and History

The inscription is a massive work of art, measuring 2.2 meters high and 3.4 meters wide, containing 385 characters that remain remarkably well-preserved due to their location in a sheltered cliff niche. The text chronicles the governorship of Li Xi, who led the heroic effort to open the Xixia Road through the treacherous mountains to improve local trade and governance. Most uniquely, the inscription is accompanied by the "Five Auspicious Illustrations," featuring rare carvings of a Yellow Dragon, a White Stag, and other mythical creatures that reflect the spiritual aesthetics of the Han era.

Natural Grandeur of the Fish Dragon Mountain

2.Visitors to Xixia: Song are treated to a dual experience of culture and nature. The site is nestled within a deep Danxia landform canyon, characterized by vibrant red cliffs and lush greenery. The Fish Dragon Mountain offers a dramatic backdrop with its "Ten-Thousand-Buddha" rock forest, where natural erosion has sculpted the stones into shapes resembling a silent gathering of sages. The clear streams flowing through the gorge form the "Heavenly Mirror" pond, which perfectly reflects the towering cliffs and ancient inscriptions, creating a serene atmosphere for photography and reflection.

A Journey Through an Ancient Corridor

Xixia Song is not just a destination but a gateway into the historical pulse of the Longnan region. Historically, this was a vital connection point for the southern branches of the Silk Road, linking the Central Plains with the rugged southwest. Walking through the canyon, travelers can still feel the resonance of ancient caravans and the determination of the people who carved a path through the wilderness nearly two millennia ago.