Citywalk | Longwei Pass, a crossroads of ancient trade routes

When I was planning my trip to Longwei Pass, I came across this article by chance and thought it would be a good start for this article. Unfortunately, the source is unknown:

On the other side of the river is Longwei Pass on the north bank of the Xier River in my hometown, an ancient city full of stories. However, few people know about it, even people from Dali.

A slope street, less than one kilometer long, is divided into Shoukangpo and Zhongcheng Street by the majestic drum tower. The street name aptly reveals the temperament of the ancient city, which is long-lived and healthy, with outstanding people and beautiful scenery. The two streets are close to each other, with shops and houses mixed together. The houses are permeated by fireworks and dust. Walking in, it is delicious and warm, as well as passionate and secretive. The alleys are equally charming, Dajing Alley, Caiyuan Alley, Danyun Alley... They lead to spiritual springs, vegetable gardens, and clouds, leisurely and wonderful, like a piece of pure land. There are also those ancient houses, ancient wells, ancient temples, ancient trees, and delicacies, like jars of fine wine that have been stored for thousands of years, covered by the dust of time, and intoxicated with fragrance as long as they are gently touched. This is the other side, which is so similar to Tagore's "The Other Side": The ancient city is wearing a windbreaker, inviting the moonlight to dance on the waves of green tiles...

Life in Longwei Pass is so peaceful that it is easy to forget the memory of history. However, if you want to enter the history of Dali, you must stop here. Longwei Pass was first built by Geluofeng, the most ambitious king of Nanzhao. It has been a strategic location since ancient times and is known as the key to Longguan. Today, thinking about so many things in the past and present, all are just jokes. I only wish to have tea to accompany me and watch the setting sun leaning against the railing.
When you come to Longwei Pass, every step forward seems to be able to find a key to unlock the story. What you gain from it is not only happiness and tranquility, but also a leap that allows your thoughts to soar freely and your soul to stay away from wandering.
To reach the other side, you don’t need to cross the vast ocean. Just look back and you will find your hometown.

Longweiguan Ancient City Wall

The author believes that in telling the story of Longwei Pass, we must grasp two main lines:

First, it is the "intersection of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road and the Shu-Shendu Road". The most important intersection of these two thousand-year-old ancient trade routes in western Yunnan is Longwei Pass; the most important commodity trading place is "March Street", which is only 20 miles north of Longwei Pass.

Secondly, the series of foreign wars and diplomatic facts of Nanzhao Kingdom, which are based on the Tianbao War between Tang Dynasty and Zhao, the alliance between Nanzhao and Tubo, and the Cangshan League between Tang Dynasty and Zhao, are gradually revealed as a complete picture of a local regime seeking survival and development between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo Dynasty.

Map of the Tang Dynasty (partial)
Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

Longweiguan CityWalk itinerary points:
Datang Tianbao Mass Grave - Heilong Bridge - Longwei Pass - Cangshan League Wall Painting - Dajing - Erjing - Shoukangpo Lunch (at your own expense) - Zhongcheng Street - Kuixing Pavilion - Su's Ancestral Hall - Mituo Temple - Xiaguan Confucian Temple

Ancient scene murals beside the second well

Hand-drawn map of Longwei Pass at No. 43 Longquan Lane Inn: