Jinsuo Pass, the Northern Gateway of the Guanzhong Region, Was Actually the Garrison of Yang Liulang of the Yang Family Generals

The stories of the Yang Family Generals have existed since ancient times. In the Ming dynasty, writer Xiong Damu compiled them into a legendary heroic novel that became widely circulated. 'The Yang Family Generals' mainly tells the touching tales of four generations of the Yang family guarding the frontier in the early Northern Song dynasty. The great deeds of the Yang Family Generals, who were loyal to the country and pressed forward wave after wave, are a profound manifestation of the patriotic spirit of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. Yang Liulang, as a main character, is deeply loved and eulogized by the people. He is a heroic representative of loyalty to the sovereign, love for the country, and chivalrous righteousness.

Awe-inspiring Yang Liulang

In reality, Yang Liulang indeed existed, unlike some other characters in 'The Yang Family Generals' who were fabricated. The real Yang Liulang was originally named Yang Yanzhao. From a young age, he followed his father Yang Ye on the battlefield. After Yang Ye's death, he shouldered the heavy responsibility of resisting the Liao dynasty in Hebei until his death. In the war against Liao, Yang Liulang's most famous battle was the Battle of Suicheng, where he killed countless enemies. Suicheng was also called 'Iron Suicheng.' Yang Liulang was not the sixth son as depicted in the novel, but the eldest son of Yang Ye. Because the Liao people believed that the sixth star of the Big Dipper governed the north, they regarded Yang Yanzhao as a reincarnation of the Liulang Star and called him Yang Liulang. Legend has it that the Liao army once besieged Chang'an with 100,000 troops, and it was Yang Yanzhao—Yang Liulang—who came out from the north gate of Chang'an and recaptured Jinsuo Pass. Today, in Yijun, Tongchuan, there are still relics of the Yang family's training grounds, such as Liulang Cave and Liulang Chessboard.

Heavenly Defile Turned into Scenic Beauty

Jinsuo Pass is located in Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province. It is a vital throat connecting the Guanzhong Plain and the Northern Shaanxi Plateau, and has been a place contested by military strategists since ancient times. Jinsuo Pass has witnessed the history of the Chinese nation's resistance against foreign invaders and has accumulated a wealth of military history and culture. The story of Yang Liulang garrisoning Jinsuo Pass is deeply rooted in people's hearts. Even the natural barrier of Jinsuo could not stop the wheel of history. Countless passionate young people went north to Yan'an from here. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, Premier Zhou Enlai also traveled between Xi'an and Yan'an via Jinsuo Pass many times, facilitating negotiations between the Nationalists and Communists. In September 1946, the Eighth Route Army Xi'an Office, on its way to evacuate Yan'an, fought a fierce battle with the Kuomintang reactionaries at Jinsuo Pass and ultimately emerged victorious.

In addition, the legend of Meng Jiangnu is also widely spread here. On Jinshan Mountain in Yintai District, Tongchuan City, there is a Jiangnu Temple built during the Northern Song dynasty.

In ancient times, Jinsuo Pass had a majestic fortress city, with strange rocks standing all around it. These strange rocks now form the Jinsuo Stone Forest scenic area, a rare stone collapse landscape in the Weibei region. Moreover, Jinsuo Pass also boasts scenic spots such as Shenshui Gorge and Banzhuan Mountain. The combination of nature and humanity paints another picture of prosperity in the peaceful era of Jinsuo Pass.

It is unexpected that the historically renowned Yang Liulang had such a deep connection with this fortress of Jinsuo Pass. Visitors here can almost feel the awe-inspiring scene of autumn troop inspections on the battlefield over a thousand years ago and the urgency of the Liao army besieging the city. History is meant to be felt. Only by standing on the former battlefield can one experience the tension described in books. Of course, coming to Jinsuo Pass now not only allows you to visit historical relics, but the newly planned and built tourist attractions can also provide you with a perfect travel experience.