The monumental project commissioned by Qin Shi Huang over 2,000 years ago astonishes future generations for its swift completion and immense value.
Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor in Chinese history and remains one of the most enigmatic figures, with many researchers and scientists still unable to fully decode his contributions. Although the Qin dynasty (221 BC – 206 BC) existed for a brief period, its influence on subsequent dynasties was significant.
Qin Shi Huang is one of the most mysterious emperors in Chinese history.
Not only is he remembered for monumental contributions like the Great Wall of China and the mysterious tomb with over 8,000 terracotta soldiers, whose secrets remain unsolved, the Qin dynasty also astonished future generations by constructing an ancient “expressway” in a remarkably short time.
This expressway is known as Qinzhidao, the ancient highway of China, dating back to the Qin dynasty.
Immediately after unifying China, alongside the Great Wall and his tomb, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a road called Qinzhidao.
Qinzhidao is a highway built under the mysterious reign of Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Qin dynasty (221 BC – 207 BC) and the first emperor in Chinese history.
This ancient highway starts from Chuanhua County in Shaanxi Province and ends in Baotou City in Inner Mongolia, covering an estimated distance of 700 kilometers, traversing various terrains including plains, mountains, grasslands, and deserts. It is the first highway in the history of this nation and was actually completed over 2,000 years ago.
Why Qin Shi Huang Ordered the Construction of the “Expressway” Immediately After Unifying China
The ruins and traces of the road, as well as its original footprints and architecture, were discovered in 2009. This discovery is considered one of the top 10 archaeological findings of that year.
However, this road was also constructed to serve military purposes, a project that Qin Shi Huang decided to undertake in the early years following the unification of ancient China.
According to records in the “Records of the Grand Historian” by Sima Qian (a famous historian of the Han dynasty), Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a highway stretching from Chuanhua County to Baotou.
Although built over 2,000 years ago, the quality of this road is impressive. (Photo: Sina).
However, constructing this road was not easy and faced delays due to complex terrain. In fact, it took more than two years to complete the road. Notably, the general assigned to oversee and expedite the construction was executed by Qin Er Shi (the son of Qin Shi Huang) while the project was still unfinished.
The Qin highway was approximately 20-60 meters wide and passed through 14 counties. While some historians suggest that the road was built for military purposes to deter invasions, experts have found no records or documentation to explain the reasons for this 2,000-year-old project.
According to researchers, this mysterious road served as the “lifeline” connecting the military defense network between the capital, Xianyang, and the borders of the Qin dynasty.
Experts believe that if the border defense areas were in danger and reported an emergency, a troop of soldiers could be swiftly dispatched from the capital of Xianyang to the location within three days and three nights thanks to this strategically positioned road.
Furthermore, the Qin army would need only about a week to prepare everything necessary for warfare, including organizing and deploying troops, as well as gathering essential supplies like weapons and food.
The highway also played a crucial role in connecting the border areas with the capital Xianyang, especially in terms of cultural and economic exchanges.
The Qin highway was made from compacted earth. In fact, there were hardly any trees or forests found along this road, except for some short weeds. Researchers believe that the secret to this phenomenon lies in the type of soil used to construct the road.
Building a highway across complex terrains was not an easy task, but the Qin accomplished it in a short period.
To create concrete materials for the highway, all the soil used needed to be crushed, fired, and then compacted together to make it as solid as concrete. This also likely prevented weeds or plant seeds from growing and disrupting the road.
Despite being built over 2,000 years ago in a remarkably short time, the quality of this highway is impressive, astonishing even modern road experts.
However, the construction of this road was far from easy. A significant portion of it was built on mountainous terrain due to geographical reasons. To construct a highway on such complex terrain, ancient builders had to skillfully design, measure accurately, and conduct geological surveys.
The 2,000-Year-Old Road Witnessed Many Significant Events
Not only during the Qin dynasty, the highway ordered by Emperor Qin Shi Huang continued to be frequently used through many dynasties, even up to the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911).
Specifically, this strategically located road allowed Zhang Qian, a diplomat and prominent explorer during the Western Han dynasty, to effectively relay information to Central Asia. He is credited with making significant contributions to the opening of the Silk Road and enhancing transportation between the Han dynasty and the western regions.
This 2,000-year-old highway is considered an important corridor for diplomats and merchants in China to engage with the West during a time when the Silk Road was still obstructed. Archaeologists have also discovered various ancient coins, paving stones, and caves along this expressway.
Additionally, this vital road also witnessed and was part of the journey of 11 Han princesses who were married off to foreign countries for political reasons.
Notably, one of them was Wang Zhaojun, known as one of the four great beauties of China, who was married to a Xiongnu leader during the reign of Emperor Yuan of Han in 33 BC. The highway built during the Qin dynasty was also the path that Wang Zhaojun took as she traveled north.
The remnants and archaeological evidence of this 2,000-year-old highway, a “masterpiece” from the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, provide researchers with insights into the history of northern and central China in ancient times.
