Xuanquanzhi, Archaeological site in Gansu, China
Xuanquanzhi is an archaeological site in Gansu province containing the remains of an ancient postal station. The location features storage buildings, rest areas, and stone inscriptions that mark a critical point on the trade routes connecting East Asia with Central Asia.
The site originated during the Han Dynasty as a postal station serving a crucial role in the trade network. It functioned as a link between East and Central Asia for several centuries as the routes expanded and developed.
The site reveals how Chinese and Central Asian worlds connected through trade and travel, visible in the structures and objects left behind. Visitors can see evidence of the daily interactions that happened here between distant regions.
The remote location requires careful travel planning to reach; visitors should set aside several hours to explore. The structures are exposed to the elements, so conditions can be challenging depending on the season.
Excavations at this station uncovered more than 35,000 wooden tablets containing administrative records and correspondence from merchants. These documents provide rare insight into daily operations and direct communication between trading partners.
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