Tongguan County
Encyclopedia
Tongguan County is a county in Weinan
, Shaanxi
, China
. It is located in the east of the Central Plain
, north of the Qin Mountains, south of Wei
and Luo River, east of the Mount Hua
and in between the three provinces of Shanxi
, Shaanxi
and Henan
. Throughout Chinese history, Tongguan remains to be a strategic point due to its geographical significance.
in significance and became the eastern portal of Guanzhong
. Beginning from the Battle of Tongguan until the Sui
and Tang Dynasty
, Tongguan was always an important strategic base. It was especially apparent during the Tang Dynasty, as the safety of the national capital Chang'an
was directly connected with the defense of Tongguan. The loss of Tongguan usually led directly to the fall of Chang'an as it happened during the An Shi Rebellion
.
In the 19th and early 20th century, it was known as Tungkwan.
Weinan
Weinan is a Municipality in the province of Shaanxi, PRC. The Grand Historian Sima Qian was born in Weinan.-Administration:...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It is located in the east of the Central Plain
Central Plain
Central Plain may refer to:* Central Plain , or Zhōngyuán, a plain in Northern China in the lower reaches of the Yellow River which was the cradle of Chinese civilisation* Central Plain , one of the geographical regions of Wisconsin...
, north of the Qin Mountains, south of Wei
Wei River
The Wei River is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization....
and Luo River, east of the Mount Hua
Mount Hua
Mount Hua or Hua Shan in Chinese is located in Shaanxi Province, about 120 kilometres east of the city of Xi'an, near the city Huayin in China. Also known as Xiyuè, Western Great Mountain, it is one of China's Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, and has a long history of religious significance...
and in between the three provinces of Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
and Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
. Throughout Chinese history, Tongguan remains to be a strategic point due to its geographical significance.
History
Located between the Qin Mountains and the Yellow River, the path to Tongguan is very narrow and its terrain was difficult to pass. After the Eastern Han Dynasty, Tongguan gradually replaced Hangu PassHangu Pass
Hangu Pass was a strategic pass in ancient China just south of the great eastern bend of the Yellow River in today's Lingbao, Henan Province...
in significance and became the eastern portal of Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
. Beginning from the Battle of Tongguan until the Sui
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
and Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, Tongguan was always an important strategic base. It was especially apparent during the Tang Dynasty, as the safety of the national capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
was directly connected with the defense of Tongguan. The loss of Tongguan usually led directly to the fall of Chang'an as it happened during the An Shi Rebellion
An Shi Rebellion
The An Lushan Rebellion took place in China during the Tang Dynasty from CE December 16, 755 to CE February 17, 763, beginning when general An Lushan declared himself emperor, establishing the rival Yan Dynasty in Northern China...
.
In the 19th and early 20th century, it was known as Tungkwan.