Ancient Road, Inscriptions Uncovered near the Hangu Pass

Archaeologists in central China's Henan Province have found an ancient road and several inscriptions near the Hangu Pass of the Han Dynasty, a road used by trading caravans during China's dynastic period. The relics were discovered on a cliff 200 meters east of the Gate Tower where part of the pass reaches the village of Dongguan. About 100 meters of road were uncovered.

The inscriptions found were incomplete, but archaeologists were able to decipher characters indicating that they were created during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Historians said since the road served as a passage to the ancient Silk Road, the new finds might qualify for the World Heritage List. The Hangu Pass of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) was near the city of Lingbao. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220), a new Hangu Pass was built near to Xin'an County. It was militarily and economically significant at that time, as it linked Luoyang and Xi'an, two of China's ancient capitals.