On this trip, we start in Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, in southeastern Chongqing, and drive north through the mountains. Our destination is Shunliumen Gate in Zhuoshui Town, located in Chongqing’s Qianjiang District.
Not long after leaving the county seat of Youyang, the road begins to wind deep into the Wuling Mountains. This region features classic karst landscapes, where rounded hilltops rise above steep rocky slopes, and layers of ridgelines stretch across the horizon. Small villages and terraced fields are scattered throughout the valleys, with houses built along the mountainsides, blending naturally into the surrounding forests. The road itself clings to the terrain—sometimes climbing gently along the mountainside, and sometimes winding along the edge of steep slopes. As the elevation changes, the view constantly shifts between wide-open mountain vistas and stretches of road enclosed by forest and rock.
Further along the route, we encounter a road closure due to construction and have to look for a detour. After making a turn, we unexpectedly find ourselves on a narrow and much older road. Compared with the modern highway, this road feels far more primitive: the pavement is narrower, the curves tighter, and the surroundings quieter. Dense forest, rock walls, and scattered rural homes line the roadside. Looking closely, you can still spot remnants of old stone paving and historic roadbeds. As the road continues through the forested mountains, it becomes clear that we’ve accidentally entered part of the historic Sichuan Salt Road.
For centuries, the Sichuan Salt Road served as a vital trade route connecting the salt-producing regions of Sichuan with the remote mountain communities of the Wuling Mountains. In earlier times, merchants and mule caravans carried salt across these rugged mountain paths, supplying towns and villages scattered throughout the region. The road often followed natural ridges and valleys, forming hidden yet busy trade routes through the mountains. Today the ancient trail no longer carries commercial traffic, but traces of its past remain everywhere—old hillside houses, weathered stone walls, small bridges, and quiet mountain villages. It’s easy to imagine the sound of mule bells echoing through these valleys centuries ago.
After leaving this historic stretch of countryside road, we return to the well-paved G319 National Highway and continue north along the gentle waters of the Apeng River. The river winds through the mountains, carving a long and narrow valley between steep slopes. The water flows calmly, reflecting the surrounding hills and forests. The road follows the riverbank, with the river on one side and forested mountains rising sharply on the other. As the road bends through the valley, the scenery constantly changes—sometimes opening to wide river views, sometimes disappearing into quiet mountain turns—creating a landscape that feels almost like a moving painting.
After passing through the historic Zhuoshui Ancient Town, we finally reach the end of this journey at Shunliumen Gate. Located beside the Apeng River, the gate is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Zhuoshui. As the sun begins to set behind the mountains, warm golden light falls across the archway, highlighting the texture of its old brick and stone walls. The river flows quietly past the town, while the stone streets and traditional stilt houses of the ancient town settle into the calm atmosphere of the evening.
Hope you enjoy this journey.
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