The formation of the ancient tea-horse road in Sichuan and Tibet is due to the "tea-horse exchange". "Tea-horse exchange" is the exchange of tea between horses in Tibetan areas and the mainland. Therefore, the ancient tea-horse road is an important economic and cultural exchange channel formed by barter trade. The ancient Sichuan-Tibet tea-horse road began in Ya 'an and entered Tibet through Kangding. In the Ming Dynasty, it became the main trade channel of China border tea.

Second, the significance

1. The ancient tea-horse road is a political and economic link. It has promoted the reunification of Tibet and the motherland and the inseparable close relationship between the people of Tibet and China. Through this ancient road, people in Tibetan areas not only got tea and other products produced in the mainland, but also made up for the shortage of Tibetan areas and met the needs of Tibetans.

Moreover, Tibetan areas that have been in a relatively closed environment for a long time have opened the door and introduced various local products from Tibetan areas into the mainland. Establish lasting complementary and mutually beneficial economic relations.

2. The ancient tea-horse road promoted the social and economic development of Tibetan areas. Along this road, along with the exchange of tea and horses, not only a large number of industrial and agricultural products from the mainland were introduced into Tibetan areas, enriching the material life of Tibetan areas, but also advanced technologies, crafts and skilled craftsmen from the mainland entered Tibetan areas, which promoted the economic development of Tibetan areas.

3. Promoted the rise and development of towns in Tibetan areas. In the long-term commercial activities, many trading markets, backpackers, commercial centers and accommodation points on the ancient tea-horse road have gradually formed towns for residents to live in. It has promoted the urbanization development of Tibetan society.

For example, the archery stove was still a desolate ravine in the Yuan Dynasty. After the opening of Diaomen and Yanzhou Tea Horse Road in the Ming Dynasty, it gradually became the distribution center of various teams west of Dadu River. In Qing Dynasty, Wagou Road was opened and Luding Bridge was built. After the Tea Gate was established in its place, it quickly became a commercial city with "Chinese fans and merchants". Pack teams from Tibet and other places outside the customs come and go here in an endless stream, and businessmen from all over the country gather here.

4. Communicate cultural exchanges between Tibetan, Chinese and other ethnic groups. The rise of tea-horse trade has given a large number of Tibetan business travelers and envoys the opportunity to go deep into the mainland of the motherland; At the same time, a large number of merchants, craftsmen and troops from Han, Hui, Mongolian and Naxi nationalities entered Tibetan areas. In the long-term communication, we have enhanced our understanding and affinity for different cultures and formed a new cultural pattern of compatibility, respect and integration.

In many towns on the ancient tea-horse road, Tibetans have close and harmonious relations with foreign nationalities such as Han nationality and Hui nationality, and Tibetan culture blends with different cultures such as Han nationality, Islamic culture and Naxi nationality, absorbing each other in some aspects, resulting in compound and blending.

Extended data

1. The ancient tea-horse road is a historical witness to the reunification of the motherland and a symbol of national unity. This road opened by Tibetan and Han people proves the historical inevitability that Tibet belongs to China and the natural and inseparable relationship between Tibetan areas and the motherland.

It proves that no one can live without the relationship between Tibetans, Han nationality and other fraternal nationalities. It is like a historical monument, which has passed through thousands of years, making people feel the significance and profundity of Sino-Tibetan friendship.

2. The ancient tea-horse road is a rich tourism resource, which is of great value in the tourism development of Tibetan areas. As a historical and cultural heritage, the ancient tea-horse road has great tourist attraction.

The spots left by tea people on the ancient road and the winding grass road trodden by the pack team can make people think and pursue the Millennium historical relics; The villages and pastures along the ancient road have beautiful scenery, unique folk customs and regional differences. The urban multi-culture is rich and colorful, which makes people see things in a blur and linger. These tourism projects have unique advantages.

3. Digging deep into the cultural connotation of the ancient tea-horse road is of great significance for promoting spiritual civilization and cultural construction in Tibetan and Han areas. The ancient tea-horse road is not only a road, but also a carrier of history and culture, which contains extremely rich cultural connotations. For example, the Tibetan tea culture and commercial culture that accompanied the birth of this ancient road are worthy of further exploration.

As far as tea culture is concerned, Tibetans have a unique view on the medical function of tea. As early as14th century, according to the different geographical environment, fertilization types and baking methods, tea leaves were divided into 16 kinds, which were used to treat diseases such as salivation, gallbladder fever, dementia, stomach disease, blood disease, wind disease and magic disease. The Tibetan custom of drinking and using tea embodies the profound national cultural heritage and condenses the essence of tea culture.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Tea Horse Ancient Road