Batongguan Historic Trail Introduction
The Batongguan Ancient Trail passes through Hougou Pit in Shanchungli, which was once a settlement of the Pingpu people. This location is situated on a flat hill, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. Archaeological discoveries, including stone knives, stone axes, and stone holes, prove that the culture that emerged here was a living settlement. This area also served as a military station for Fukang'an during the Lin Shuangwen Incident in the latter part of the Qianlong period, with Ganquan Well becoming a settlement landmark. There are two stories associated with Ganquan Well: one is that the spring water comes from Nonghui Mountain and never dries up, with its water level higher than the surrounding ground, which is a unique feature; the second is a legend about fetching water at noon during the Dragon Boat Festival for bathing and disaster prevention. Additionally, the Shitou Gong (Stone God) by the well was originally intended to protect the well, but now, due to its location on the essential route of the Batongguan trail, it has become one of the only two Stone Gods along the Batongguan Sheliao route. This area also marked the boundary of the "Tuniu Red Line" designated during the early Qing Dynasty and served as an entry point for opening and pacifying the "barbarians."
