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 A type of ancient trackway in China | |
| Alternative names | 栈道 |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | China |
The archaeological Gallery Roads (simplified Chinese: 栈道; traditional Chinese: 棧道) were routes traversing remote mountainous regions of China. The roads were fashioned using wooden planks securely fastened within holes carved into cliff sides. Primarily found in the Qin Mountains, they connected the Wei River and the Han River valleys. The first gallery roads were built during the Warring States period (476–221 BC) and used by Qin to invade Shu and Ba. They were fully consolidated into a thriving network during the Han dynasty. Before the 20th century, very primitive versions were used in the western gorges of the Pamir Mountains.