Liqian, Archaeological village in Yongchang County, China
Liqian is a settlement in Gansu Province in northwestern China, known for residents who often show green eyes and light hair. The area consists of modest houses and farming plots spread across a dry landscape, with dusty roads connecting the different parts of the community.
The area was established as a county during the Western Han dynasty and later continued under the Northern Wei dynasty. Some researchers have discussed the possibility of a connection to Roman soldiers who may have settled in the region after a battle in the first century before the common era.
DNA testing conducted on Liqian residents revealed that approximately two-thirds of the population carries genetic markers associated with Caucasian ancestry.
The settlement can be reached by local roads and sits away from main transport routes, so some planning is needed for the journey. Visitors should be aware that the area can be dry and sunny, especially during the warmer months of the year.
Some residents preserve oral traditions about a possible descent from a lost Roman legion that may have settled here after military campaigns. These stories have been passed down through generations and shape how the local community understands its own background.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
