Tea Horse Road – Adunzi and Meili Sections
The Tea Horse Road, a historically significant trade route connecting China, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, passes through the Deqin region of Diqing Prefecture in Yunnan Province. The Adunzi and Meili sections are two of the most culturally rich and well-preserved parts of the ancient road, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s role in cross-cultural trade and interaction.
Adunzi Section (阿墩子段)
The Adunzi Section of the Tea Horse Road spans 15 kilometers from Shengping Town to Adunzi Village in Deqin County. This section is notable for being the most intact and culturally significant part of the Tea Horse Road still in use today in the Diqing region. It was originally an important trade route for the transportation of tea, horses, and other goods between Tibet, Yunnan, and Sichuan. The road’s well-preserved state allows visitors to experience the traditional way of life along the ancient trade route, while also learning about its historical importance to the people of Tibet, Yunnan, and neighboring areas.
Meili Section (梅里段)
The Meili Section is one of the oldest and most culturally rich parts of the Tea Horse Road, with origins tracing back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and flourishing in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It remains an important passage for interactions between the Tibetan, Han, and other ethnic groups of the Sichuan-Yunnan-Tibet border region. This section, located in Foshan Township of Deqin County, stretches 30 kilometers and features several historical landmarks, including:
- Liutongjiang Ancient Ferry (溜筒江古渡口)
- Zhana Ancient Post Road (扎纳古驿道)
- Meili Shui Ancient Post Station (梅里水古驿站)
- Meili Shui Temple of the Horse Caravan Guardian (梅里水马帮保护神庙)
- Tibetan Stone Inscriptions (藏文石刻群)
These sites offer an in-depth look at the traditional Tibetan trade routes, the life of the horse caravans, and the spiritual practices that accompanied them. The Meili section remains a vibrant part of the Tea Horse Road, preserving much of the historical and cultural context that defined the trade and interactions of the past.
The Tea Horse Road was a vital route that connected China, Tibet, and other regions, facilitating the exchange of tea, horses, silk, salt, and other commodities. The Adunzi and Meili sections are some of the best-preserved segments of this ancient trade network. These roads are not just historical landmarks, they continue to hold deep cultural significance for the communities that still live along their path.
In May 2013, the Tea Horse Road was included in the Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, a testament to its importance in the shared cultural heritage of China and the broader Tibetan Plateau.