Cutting across the city of Ordos from south to north, the broad Qin’s Zhidao Road has witnessed the richness of a splendid civilization. Along with Baotou-Maoming Expressway and Baotou-Xi’an Railway getting through Ordos, the Qin’s Zhidao Road tells us a tale of the ancient Chinese people and the land that contributed to their flourishing. Even though thousands of years have passed, the magnificence of the road remains intact.

The Qin’s Zhidao Road was built in 212 BC. After unifying six states, Qin Shi Huang, the 1st emperor of Qin Dynasty, ordered his general Meng Tian to build this marvel. The major purpose of building this road was transportation but military, political, economic and other aspects were also taken into consideration. Starting from Ganquan Mount in Yunyang County (northern Chunhua, Shaanxi) near Xianyang and ending in Jiuyuan County (ancient Mengjialiang city, Hondlon District, Baotou) in the north, it boasted a total length of 700 kilometers. From Shaanxi, it runs across Ordos, pierces through mountains and valleys while forging forward with pride.

Over the past two thousand years, this road ran parallel to the ever-flowing Chinese history. Major historical events left their marks along the way but facing harsh weather, going through twists and turns, it never stopped contributing to the wisdom and creativity of Chinese people. We find that the emperor Wu in Han Dynasty went out for inspection in the region, and Sima Qian collected his folk songs and rhymes along the road. When Wang Zhaojun went out of frontiers to marry with Huhanye, the Hun leader, and when Cai Wenji was ransomed and returned to the Han, the Qin’s Zhidao Road was witnessing.

Today, the rare relics of Zhidao Road can not only be seen in Ordos’ deserts and plains but also in the hilly areas where cracks and hillocks face each other. At present, the southernmost relics of the road are in Hongqinghe Town, Ejin Horo Banner. The historians still face difficulties figuring out the specific route from Shaanxi to Hongqinghe Town, Ordos. Nevertheless, it is certain that it passes through Mu Us Desert, extends to hilly areas in the north, and goes through Kubuqi Desert until it reaches the Yellow River’s alluvial plains. As the first highway and the first route that traverses deserts in the world, Qin’s Zhidao Road roars ahead along countless mountains and rivers. The ancient dynasty managed to build and maintain the miraculous road, in the wake of global transportation, as an unprecedented undertaking in human civilization. Its durability can easily be assessed by the fact that until this day, an intact cross-section of a roadbed with several cushions and grit levels can be clearly seen in ruins of the road at Zhanggangtu, Ejin Horo Banner. In 1999, two thousand years later, the people in Ordos built Hangjin Banner Desert Highway after four years of struggle. This new asphalt road, running through Kubiqi Desert, contributes to the charm of Qin’s Zhidao Road and is a true reflection of Zhidao’s civilization. It adheres to Ordos people’s unswerving determination, ever-lasting diligence, and an unrelenting pursuit. The Qin’s Zhidao Road bestows Ordos with timeless and grand historic legacy.

Historically, Qin’s Zhidao Road has always benefited national security. It also serves as a significant economic lifeline and a cultural corridor. It has ensured stability in the region for a long time. The exchanges between the nomadic tribes in the north and farming southerners contributed to both the economic and social development of Ordos. After the completion of Zhidao Road, the Qin ruling alliance forced 30,000 households and criminals to Ordos for farming purposes. The immigrants settled in Beihe (Houtao Plain), Yuzhong (Jungar Banner) and made such remarkable gains in farming that the region became comparable to Guanzhong Plain (where the capital of Qin was located). The people began to call it “the new center of Qin”. The migration and subsequent cultivation of wasteland ordered by Qin Shi Huang is the earliest record of large-size farming practice in Ordos’ history. Its economic structure and mode of production underwent unprecedented changes; farming started to prosper and the overwhelming proportion of husbandry in the economy was significantly transformed. We may claim that the blending of farming and husbandry attracted a historic significance because of Qin’s Zhidao Road. It is due to the contribution of this road that the Nalin region of Jungar Banner yielded high cereal output and was named Meiji County (which literally meant “a county with high-quality produce”) in the Han Dynasty. This reputation became possible because of the farming that started under the Qin Dynasty. Currently, massive agricultural and husbandry production bases have been put into operation in the Wuding Basin in Uxin Banner along the ancient highway and the Yellow River Alluvial Plain in Dalad Banner. Farming and husbandry are now entering a new stage of development.

Along Qin’s Zhidao Road, there are several ancient city sites, namely, Hongqinghe, Miaoqiyijian, Chengliang, and Chengguai. Chengliang, located in Bojianghaizi County, Dongsheng District, lies next to the ancient highway. One part of a city wall still stands with debris of decrepit tiles scatters on the ground. The local villagers excavated numerous arrows and porcelains while farming in the region. Even their mooncakes, made on Mid-autumn Day, are molded out of the eaves tiles from the Han Dynasty. Wen Zaihe lives in the village and of the walls of his sheepcote belongs to the ancient times. He once found a bronze dagger while plowing the field. Piteously, it was purchased by someone at the price of RMB 60. Wen said that it was very common to dig out arrows in the fields and for tiles and porcelain pots to be washed out of ditches in rainy days.

Chengliang was an affluent city in the Qin Dynasty. Standing here, a radio and TV tower resembles a beacon tower that sends signals in all directions. In the north of Chengliang lies the Qingdameng of Dalad Banner. We are led by Meng Chou, a local villager, to the Chaobaogou section of the remains, which has been well maintained. Looking further, we can see a broad road stretching through breaches and mountains reminding us the lofty depiction from Grand Scribe's Records, “the Road pierces through mountains and valleys, reaching the farthest places.” Nowadays, part of the remains is turned into local farmers’ fields, which are planted with cereal and buckwheat. Looking at the green seedlings and thinking how thousands of years have passed in a blink of eye, engenders a gripping feeling. Towards north from Chaobaogou, one gets to the part of the ruins in Wusiyidu, a Han mint is found 2 kilometers to the west. The 73-year-old shepherd, Qiao Niu, has been living near the remains since childhood. Qin’s Zhidao Road is a sacred road to him; he never herds his flock on it.

Ordos, with its highly suitable soil for farming and herding, was both a crucial base in the fighting against the Huns and a shield protecting Xianyang, the capital of Qin Dynasty. As recorded in historical literature, this country was divided into 36 counties. Ordos had four of them, which shows its importance at that time. At present, asphalt roads with a total length of 20,000 kilometers connect the city with far-flung places. There are three railways stretching from the east to the west while four connect the north with the south. The movement of people and goods is immensely facilitated. Ordos has been one of the 18 exemplary successes in reform and opening up over the past 30 years and is listed as the National Resource-Reliant Comprehensive Pilot Zone for Innovative Economic Development. The city is making efforts to build itself into a renewable energy base and coal chemical industry demonstration zone. Ordos will play a significant role in implementing China’s national development strategy.

As a shining cultural card of Ordos, the protection and exploitation of Qin’s Zhidao Road have been a vital task for those districts and banners that host it. In May, 2006, the Ordos section of Qin’s Zhidao Road, was officially designated as one 6th batch of national key relics protection unit, and was listed in the 100-great national cultural relics. At present, the relevant agencies for protection and maintenance have been constituted in Ejin Horo Banner, Dongsheng District and Dalate Banner. For instance, in Dongsheng District, one study, “Protection and Development Center for Qin’s Zhidao Road Relics”, has already been conducted, and a Protection Plan on Qin’s Zhidao Road Relics has been re-compiled. Qin’s Zhidao Road Relics Park is under construction as planned, and Dongsheng District is trying to build one Qin’s Zhidao Road Cultural Industry Demonstration Zone in order to further study and make use of the historic and cultural value of the ancient road. In 2010, Ordos’s Donglian Tourism Group invested RMB 1 billion to construct a scenic spot near the relics, aiming to objectify its glistening history and restore the prestige of the road. Now, it is a 4A national tourist attraction and a cultural industry demonstration zone in Inner Mongolia.

Qin’s Zhidao Road has earned a global fame for the city of Ordos. From its distant and dignified past, Ordos is stepping into a new phase in its development, which sets out to be more promising and glorious. The superiority that Ordos people gained from Qin’s Zhidao Road stimulates them to keep progressing with unsurmountable courage.