 A type of ancient trackway in China | |
| Alternative name | 栈道 |
|---|---|
| Location | China |
The historicalGallery Roads (simplified Chinese:栈道;traditional Chinese:棧道), also known asCliff Roads orPlank Roads, were routes traversing remote mountainous regions ofChina. The roads were fashioned using wooden planks securely fastened within holes carved into cliff sides. Primarily found in theQin Mountains, they connected theWei River and theHan River valleys. The first gallery roads were built during theWarring States period (476–221 BC) and used byQin to invadeShu andBa. They were fully consolidated into a thriving network during theHan dynasty. Before the 20th century, very primitive versions were used in the western gorges of thePamir Mountains.
Gallery roads were notable engineering accomplishments in ancient Chinese history. This infrastructure was predominantly constructed to ease transportive strain across cliffs in rugged mountainous areas.[1] TheShu Road serves as a prime illustration, traversing some of China's most rugged and desolate terrains, including theQinling andDaba Mountain ranges. Functioning as a crucial link between the Wei River valley and the ancient capital ofChang'an, this road employed the plank road technique to secure pathways across cliffs and steepravines.[2]
The construction of gallery roads was tailored to the specifictopographical features of the surrounding terrain, resulting in unique structural implementations.[3] The most prevalent type of gallery road is a wooden plank road anchored to cliffs using holes and woodenpiles, subsequently covered with wooden boards. An alternative method involved carving stone roads directly into cliff faces.[1]
Modern reconstructions of gallery roads incorporate materials like steel and stone to improve durability. Additionally, specific sections feature glass components aimed at attracting tourists.[4]
Shudao is the general name of the historic road that was constructed through the Qinling, Micang and Daba mountainous barrier. The main function of the Shudao is to connect the Wei River valley (today'sGuanzhong) with the ancient capital Chang’An (today's Xi’An) in the north with Shu region (headquartered in today's Chengdu) in the south.[5] The Shu Roads pass through some of the most rugged and desolate terrains in China. The first major highways were most likely built in theWarring States period (481–221 BCE). During theQin (221–206 BCE) andHan (206 BCE – 220 CE) dynasties, this road network was massively improved upon. For the most part, the roads were built through natural corridors which had already been established as travel routes by their inhabitants. To build these important paths along the steep and dangerous cliff, the builders used the innovative road-building technique known as "Gallery Road" to fix the roads on the rock walls and cross the mountains, rivers andvalleys.[2]
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