Songzhou has been a place of "tea-horse exchange" since ancient times. The vast Songzhou grassland in history is rich in horses and yaks, and herders feed on beef and mutton, ghee and Ciba. "Carnivorous things are not incomprehensible to tea." However, the feudal dynasty was in war for years and needed enough war horses, so it had to be obtained from Tibetan areas, and the mutually beneficial tea-horse business quietly rose.
Located in the border, Songzhou has naturally become a commercial center, where many people with business awareness have gathered. For a long time, Songzhou has gradually formed a multi-ethnic mixed pattern.
At present, the ancient city of Songzhou is mainly inhabited by Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han nationalities, which is called the epitome of the national structure of Aba Prefecture. In every ancient street, you can see buildings with different styles that live next to each other, and people of all ethnic groups wear various costumes; The Chenghuang Temple and Guanyin Corner in the west of the ancient city, the mosque and Gongbei in the north, and the Tibetan Buddhist temple in the south of the city are built adjacent to Qiang carvings.
For thousands of years, Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han nationalities have lived in the same city, but they have not shown much assimilation. At present, all ethnic groups still follow their own customs and habits and do not interfere with each other, but they can also respect each other and live in peace. It is really remarkable.
In the long historical storm, the Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han nationalities here have experienced countless wars with the ancient city. The ancient city wall records and shows the vicissitudes of life and the profound and heroic national style. Now, when you climb the city head, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery around you. Songzhou city has lost its former defensive purpose, and it has become a great scenic spot for people to mourn the ancient battlefield, which will certainly inspire infinite feelings and nostalgia.
Since the Tang Dynasty, Tubo established a barter relationship with the Tang Dynasty by horses. The wedding statue of Princess Wencheng and Songzan cadres not only became a landmark building at the entrance of Songzhou ancient city, but also told people about the "Tang-Fan War" that happened here more than a thousand years ago. Chariots, crossbows, catapults, fireworks, trumpets, drums and plaster statues in ancient Tang Dynasty were arranged at various points of the city wall, showing the historical situation of the frontier battlefield.
The tall and thick city walls, severe and indifferent, stand like iron walls. The circular city gate cave is open day and night, and people, cars and animals can enter and leave at any time. The word "Songzhou" above the Chengmen Cave is big, and visitors will feel the tragic and grand ancient battlefield in the smoke. The south bridge of Gefei Liu Dan and East China Diaoliang closely links the north and south streets like a jade belt buckle. The Minjiang River under the bridge cut off a Songzhou city. It is said that Wan Ao cut it to break the wind pulse and cut the elephant leg. "Water crosses the city and the moon reflects the Gu Song Bridge" has since become a scene in Songzhou. Tibetan "butter tea", stone mill pushing Baba, spinning, carpet weaving, weaving and other scenes are integrated into it, showing the prosperity of Tibetan and Han nationalities living together in the ancient frontier fortress city of Tang Dynasty, being simple, kind, United and harmonious, and building a beautiful home together.
In the hazy white night, it is clearly visible. The battlements on the wall are row upon row. The watchtower with upturned cornices has a clear outline. The copper wind chimes hanging in the corner of the arrow tower are swaying slightly, giving off a series of crisp copper bells, which makes people vaguely feel that the flowing airflow has the rhythm of the ancient plateau.
Colorful costumes, unique customs, unique architecture ... Children of Tibetans, Qiang, Hui and Han live in the ancient city. All ethnic groups interact and blend with each other, while maintaining their own individuality, forming a unique, long-standing, rich national customs and local characteristics. Listening to a Tibetan song and dancing in a pot restaurant in the distinctive "Yiqing Square", "Songzhou Square", "Datang Songzhou Square" and "Guyun Square" make us feel this rich ethnic customs more deeply.
Today's ancient city Songpan has been relocated. It is another cultural landscape as famous as Huanglong and Jiuzhai. Based on the Millennium ancient city culture and highlighting the architectural styles of Tang, Ming and Qing dynasties, Songzhou ancient city has become the first cultural ancient city in China Plateau, which is equally famous as Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou.
Songpan city is very lively at night, and the prices here are more affordable. You can buy some dried yak meat, ethnic handicrafts and Tibetan knives to take back. There are barbecue stalls everywhere on the roadside, and small shops and restaurants are open to 1 1. If you like yak head, you don't need to buy it at all. Where fresh yak meat is sold in the market, discarded yak, shredded pork and blood are everywhere. You can take these primitive yak heads to local people for processing, which is only a few tens of dollars. If you don't take the trouble, you can take it home for decoration.
On Songzhou Street, most shops deal in agate, jade, silverware, gold products, ornaments, fur and other unique items in Tibetan areas, which are colorful and dazzling. All kinds of articles are red, green, white, gold and so on.
On the streets of Songzhou, we can still see groups of coachmen and hear them shouting. These caravans are no longer caravans on the ancient tea-horse road. They are not carrying cloth, salt and tea, but foreign tourists. These guests usually come from Southeast Asia or Hong Kong and Macao. They come to appreciate the ancient customs of the plateau and ride horses over mountains and mountains to see the scenery. Li Guiquan, a farmer in Songpan Shunjiang, is a lamafu. He has only received primary education. 1996, he founded "Happy Trail Cycling Travel Company". 1In July, 1997, Rona Anne Wilkins, a Scottish girl who teaches at Luoyang Teachers College in Henan Province, rode a horse in Songpan and met Li Guiquan. Unexpectedly, Li Guiquan chatted with her in fluent English, and they ignited the fire of love on this ancient tea-horse road. 1999 July 18, a caravan of 30 horses came to greet the bride. In the ancient city of Songzhou, according to the traditional form of China, Li Guiquan married the Scottish blonde.
Songzhou tea-horse ancient road has a long history. It is not only an ancient road, but also an ancient road for caravans to walk. With the progress and development of society, it has become a link connecting the northwest and a major channel for national integration, economic development and cultural exchange.
"There is a bright moon in Qin Dynasty, and a bright moon in Han Dynasty". Re-take the Songzhou Tea Horse Ancient Road, and you can enjoy Yulei Pass, Yanmenguan Pass, Dashiguan Pass and Huangshengguan along the way. ...