Batongguan Historic Trail Introduction
The Batongguan Old Trail passes through Hougou Pit in Shanchongli, which was once a settlement of the Pingpu people. This area is situated on a flat hill, making it a defensible location. Archaeological findings such as stone knives, stone axes, and stone holes provide evidence of a living settlement culture. During the late Qianlong period, this site served as a garrison for Fukang'an in the suppression of the Lin Shuangwen incident, with Ganquan Well becoming a settled area. The story of Ganquan Well has two parts: one is that the spring water comes from Nonghui Mountain and never runs dry, with its water level higher than the surrounding ground, which is exceptional; the second is the legend of collecting water at noon during the Dragon Boat Festival for bathing to ward off disasters. Additionally, the stone statue beside the well was originally intended to guard the spring, but has since become one of the only two stone statues on the Batongguan Shaliao route due to its location at the essential pass of the Batongguan. This site was also designated as the boundary of the "Tuniu Red Line" during the early Qing rule, serving as an entry point for the opening of the mountains and pacifying the indigenous people.
