Hanzhong Shimen Trestle

Shimen Trestle Scenic Area, a national 4A tourist attraction, is located in Baogukou. Baogukou is adjacent to Hantai District, Mianxian County and Liuba County, 18 kilometers away from the downtown of Hanzhong. In Shimen Trestle Scenic Area tourists can appreciate not only China’s first batch of national key cultural relic protection sites such as Baoxie Way, Shimen and Inscriptions on Precipices, but also rare animals and plants. Being honored as the“Home of Chinese Trestle Roads”, this area is also said to be the hometown of Bao Si, the queen of King You of Zhou in the Western Zhou Dynasty (795 BC-771 BC).

This area can boast of rich sightseeing resources, such as Shimen Site (the world’s first human-made traffic tunnel) and Shimen Stone Inscription Site (the calligraphy treasure enjoying a good reputation both at home and abroad).“Shimen’s Thirteen Inscriptions on Precipices” are the most famous stone inscription, reflecting the development process of styles of Chinese calligraphy, from seal character to official script to regular script. These inscriptions on precipices are authentic work of calligraphy, witnessing the development of Chinese calligraphy. In addition, there are Baoxie Trestle Road, the third largest engineering in ancient China, and Shanhe Weirs, a water conservancy project equally famous with Zhengguo Canal and Dujiang Weirs. Many historical allusions in the Period of Three Kingdoms happened in this area. It is also the only comprehensive tourist attraction blending features of“characters”, “green”and“water”in Hanzhong.

Shimen Tunnel

Along Baoxie Plank Road, there is a section that was built inside, instead of on the surface of the mountain because the cliff was too precipitous. This tunnel, nowadays called Shimen Tunnel, measuring 17.8 yards long and 4.6 yards wide, was the first man-made tunnel in the world. The original tunnel was also flooded while building the Shimen Dam. But a 17-yard imitation was chiseled on the cliff. It is a marvelous reproduction of the miracle in the ancient history.

Inside the original tunnel and on its surrounding cliff, many famous officials and scholars in ancient times left inscriptions. They have been moved to Hanzhong Museum for better protection because of the construction of the dam.

Shimen Dam

When you go to Shimen scenic area, you cannot miss the Shimen Dam which was built in 1969. The dam is a comprehensively-utilized large scale hydro project mainly used for power generation, irrigation, flood control, tourism etc. Standing on the dam, you can see beautiful scenery along Qinlin Mountain and Ba Mountain.

Besides, you can also travel on the Baohe River by a boat, which would be a good way to experience the charm of nature and appreciate the sceneries along the riverside.

The blue sky, fresh air, bright sunlight, green trees and mountains will guarantee you a wonderful journey. And when you travel around the scenic area, the Jitou Pass, Archaized Street, Lover Bridge and many statues will also leave you a great impression. Many statues there will provide a chance for you to know more about the stories of the Three Kingdoms and Chinese history.

In Shimen Trestle Scenic Area tourists can enjoy a variety of delicacies featuring Shaanxi flavor and Baohe Fresh Fish is a typical local food that tourists can not miss.

TIPS

Basic info:

Address: Baogukou, 18 kilometers away from the downtown of Hanzhong.

Ticket：March 1 ~ November 30: CNY 80

December 1 ~ the end of next February: CNY 60

Opening time:

March 1 ~ November 30: 8:00-17:50

December 1 ~ the end of next February: 8:10-17:20

* Note: The best visiting time is in summer and autumn.

Transportation

Taking a train or bus from Xi’an to Hanzhong Station

By bus:

Take bus No.102, 21 in downtown Hanzhong and get off at the scenic area station.

By taxi:

It costs about CNY 40 from the Hanzhong Railway Station to this scenic area.