GUOLIANG MAPS
Written by Rick Archer
October 2009

FORWARD

Assuming you read the Search for Guoliang, you are well aware that this small village has been misplaced all over China!

During my research, I counted at least seven different provinces with a "Guoliang", including Tibet, Sichuan, Chongqing, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hunan, and of course Henan.

Since there has been so much confusion, the purpose of adding these maps is to allow other people to pick up the trail and confirm the work I did.

I helped lose the place, so I am now determined to help find it! 

If you do take the time to retrace my steps and discover an error, by all means contact me.  I am committed to clearing up the confusion and welcome all the help I can get. 

Rick Archer
dance@ssqq.com 

During my three day search, I had been tricked by so many false "Guoliangs" that I was still suspicious about the place I had designated as the ONE TRUE GUOLIANG. 

I made a decision to use all three maps - Google Earth, Google Maps and Maplandia - in conjunction with each other to double-check my work.

MAPLANDIA

Maplandia is an odd service provided by Google.  It is a cross between Google Earth and Google Maps. 

Maplandia starts off like a map, but when you zoom in close enough, you start to see the same satellite imaging you get in Google Earth.

In this particular "Maplandia" map, you see Henan Province along with its capital city Zhengzhou.   Now you have the Big Picture

In this particular "Maplandia" map, you see the two starting points - Xinxiang and Huixian - in reference to Shayaoxiang, the village nearby Guoliang.  

The map on the left illustrates Provincial Road S229, aka the Road to Guoliang.

I never located Guoliang using Maplandia.  However I did run across one useful clue.

Nanping (or Nanpingcun ) was mentioned in some of the blogs I read as being a village very close to Guoliang.

"We had only planned to stay 1 night here (in Guoliang), so the next morning we caught a taxi to the next village, Nanping, where we got on various buses - Nanping to Huixian to Zhengzhou and the final change our next destination, Song Shan Mountain."

As you can see in the picture, I was able to locate Nanping using Maplandia.

If you decide to retrace my steps, you will do well to locate what I call the East-West and the North-South Rivers.  Both rivers served as obvious reference points.

Provincial Road S229 was The Main Road to Guoliang as far as I was concerned. 

At a certain point near Nanzhaizhen, there was the "Second Road to Guoliang" that branched off to the west from Provincial Road S229.  The Second Road to Guoliang ran through a long valley parallel to the East-West River.

Nanzhaizhen was the town that was closest to the connection of the north-south and east-west rivers.  One mystery that I never solved was the exact spot where the bus would turn from Provincial Road S229 to go to Guoliang.

At first I assumed it would be Nanzhaizhen because there was a clearly marked road heading west.  Later on, however, I noticed a smaller road that might serve as a possible short cut to Dongpo located along the East-West River.

I will cover this in more detail when we get to a better map.

GOOGLE EARTH

Using Google Earth, I have placed an enormous picture which will show the route of S229, the Main Road to Guoliang, plus the Second Road to Guoliang. 

As you will see, this giant picture starts all the way back in Huixian, a small city about 11 miles north of Xinxiang. 

As I read all the blogs, Zhengzhou, Henan's capital, Xingxiang, and Huixian were listed as the three most likely departure points on any trip headed to Guoliang.   Just to give you an overview, here are two small snapshots of the area you are about to survey.

In that way you will experience the same headache I did - finding those towns was pretty tricky sometimes.  They stayed invisible unless you either knew where to look or stumbled across them.

Please be aware that at any time you can bring up Google Earth and retrace my steps without trouble.

Now it is time for another giant map.  Our new map is a Google Map view of the same area as the Google Earth picture above.  The Google Map picture below is a different way of looking at the Google Earth picture above.  I did this to give me two looks of the same place.  I used this technique as my way to double-check my work.   Guoliang was hard enough to find.  Let's not lose it again.  Plus this time I intend to make there are no more mistakes!

Our next picture is a Google Earth closeup of the area around Guoliang.   As you see in the picture, the "Second Road to Guoliang" follows the East-West River through the valley.  Please take note of Shayaoxiang - for some reason, this town shows up on the maps long before Guoliang does.

This next picture was taken using "Google Maps".  As you can, the Google Maps picture below is a different way of looking at the Google Earth picture above.  This gives you two looks of the same place.  What is interesting about this new picture is that Google Maps offered a distance marker.  Look in the red box below.  For fun, I created a picture to help estimate the distance between Shayaoxiang and Guoliang.  I was shocked at my discovery.

The Google Maps distance marker indicates that Shayaoxiang and Guoliang are only 1200 feet apart.  That's less than a quarter mile!   Doesn't it seem odd to think these villages 400 yards apart?   This seems much too close.  Furthermore, I count 8 villages and one giant mountain between Shayaoxiang and Guoliang.  Obviously something is wrong with the distance marker.  So do me a favor.  Go check my work and see what you come up with.

Maybe it should have said yards instead of feet (please forgive me, but I am not comfortable with the metric system).  Even then, the two villages would be 1200 yards apart.  That is much less than a mile.  How are you going to get eight villages and Mt Lingshan situated in this small a space? 

As you see above, I listed the address I used "Shayaoxiang, henan, china".  This allows anyone to go to Google Maps, get the same map I did and do the same calculations.  Feel free to share your conclusions with me - dance@ssqq.com 

As you can see, three different sources suggested the ride from Xinxiang to Guoliang is about 2 1/2 hours long. 

In addition, one of the Travel Guides suggested a distance of 34 miles.  

On a modern freeway, 34 miles is half an hour where I live.  So how do you justify believing it is a 2 1/2 hour trip by bus?

The Main Road to Guoliang, S229, starts out in a valley, but hits a rugged patch of mountains halfway there.  From what I see in Google Earth, there isn't any discernable pass through these mountains. 

I was unable to determine whether there were tunnels to speed up the trip.  As best as I can tell, this is a poor area of China, therefore not likely to have expensive tunnels. 

I assume that any bus has to climb very high up into these mountains, then descend into another valley on the other side.

As for the second leg of the journey, it probably isn't very fast either.  I can't imagine the Second Road to Guoliang, the one that runs through the valley parallel to the East-West River, is a modern highway.  Assume that this stretch of road is in poor condition that does not allow for high speeds. 

Given these factors, a 34 mile ride that takes two and a half hours might be correct.

 

ACCURATE DISTANCE FROM HUIXIAN TO GUOLIANG

Using a distance calculator I found on the Internet, I discovered it is 49 miles from Zhengzhou to Huixian. 

As you can see, it is 11 miles from Xinxiang to Huixian.

The distance calculator says it measures distance "as the crow flies".  However, the two roads to Guoliang create an obvious right angle. 

Assuming the Google Map segment is proportional, it isn't difficult to visualize a distance of 34 miles from Huixian City to Guoliang if you measure using the "right angle".

A NOTE FROM SUHAN, THE MAN WHO GOT THE SEARCH FOR GUOLIANG STARTED

From: Suhan
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 12:28 PM
To: Rick Archer
Subject: Regarding the Guoliang Tunnel

I just finished reading the story for your search. Thank you for taking so much time to correct the information :)

Regarding Google, it's remarkably inaccurate here in China if you search in English.

It's much more reliable and accurate if you search in Chinese Characters. I have no idea why this inaccuracy occurs, but it probably has something to do with Google's search algorithm and the 4 tones associated with the Chinese language. In Mandarin, He1, He2, He3, and He4 all sound different, but people usually omit the tones and just write He. Therefore, Henan is actually He2nan2, but it's just marked as Henan in most US maps. There could actually be many places names Henan but with different tones. For example, hypothetically, there could be He1nan1, He1nan2, etc. If you use Chinese characters, this problem is automatically solved which results in a much more accurate search.

I wish I had followed up with you earlier. It would have helped you find Guoliang more easily. On the other hand, it seems like you did get to see a lot of China through Google Maps. There is also a Chinese website called Baidu which provides accurate maps as well, but you'd have to have knowledge of Mandarin to successfully navigate the site.

Anyway, I hope this helps explain why you had such a hard time with Google. Thank you again for your efforts. Best of wishes.

Regards, Suhan

PARTING THOUGHTS

I uncovered some very interesting tidbits about Guoliang during my 2009 research.  For example, several blogs indicated Guoliang came to the attention of the modern world thanks to Chinese filmmakers.

The road soon cuts directly into the side of the vertical gorge.  This feat was apparently achieved by 12 men over 6 years, before this the only access to the plateau above was by an extremely scary path called the Sky Stair.  Owing to this, the old villages are largely unspoiled, leading to GL becoming a very popular set for Chinese films looking for authentic locations to use rather than build sets of “yesteryear”.  Some 80% of the inhabitants have been used as extras at some point. 

Another blog suggested this area was used by the Chinese army in World War II as a place to escape the Japanese invasion and prepare for a counter-attack.

One question that remains a mystery is Xiyagou, the parallel universe city.  Now that I have a feel for distance, I estimate that Xiyagou is probably less than 10 miles further north of Guoliang.  What connection do these two villages have?  Why do they both have similar tunnels?   I never found an answer to this question. 

Several blogs pointed out that this area has been developed as a geo-park.  As you can see from the pictures, this area is very lovely.  In addition, new hotels are springing up all over the area.  Something good is happening here.  In every picture I see of Guoliang, the place appears overrun with tourists.

Not only is the place swarming with tourists, if the rumors can be believed, eighty percent of the residents regularly appear in movies as well!  

From a forgotten outpost on the very edge of the world back in the 1970s, Guoliang has obviously come a long, long way in just forty years.

Imagine how popular Guoliang would be if people could just find the darn place! 

If you have read my story carefully, you have to agree the entire planet outside of China clearly has no idea where Guoliang is located!   I still find it hard to believe that I found a half-dozen placemarks on Google Maps and Google Earth that are completely wrong. 

I have no explanation why there are so many mistakes.  What would cause so many people to get it wrong?  I suppose people typed in 'Guoliang' and came up with various other spots.  However, why were they so sure of themselves?  Why didn't they bother to double-check their work for accuracy?  Furthermore, why did so many people transpose Guoliang with Xiyagou? 

Guoliang clearly needs a better publicist.  One good web site complete with a map would do wonders for this place! 

I suppose that until a professional comes along, I guess my web site will have to do the trick.

You might wonder why I dedicated several days of my life to finding and then documenting this missing village in the middle of nowhere.  After all, I have absolutely no connection to Guoliang whatsoever. 

If you accept the Hindu Principle of Karma, I felt I had a Karmic Debt to this place.  Thanks to my Hunan-Henan mistake back in early 2007, I realized I was quite likely the major reason the true location of this place has been obscured for nearly three years.

Then when I realized that no one else on the Internet seemed to know where this place was, I felt a compelling urge to clear up my original mistake here.  Once I have discovered the entire planet can't seem to find the right place, I felt it was my duty to set things right. 

Besides the mystery of Xiyagou, I guess my other confusion is to understand why it was so hard for me to find the correct location.  I am no genius, but I am computer-literate enough to know how to collect a vast amount of information.  Yet despite all my research, my discovery of the true Guoliang location came down to three hours of zoom in/zoom out hunt and peck on Google Earth.  Why did it have to be that difficult?

As you can see, I raised many questions along the way.  If anyone of you have information to share, by all means, feel free to comment. 

Thank you very much for reading.  Maybe I will see you in Guoliang sometime... now that everyone knows where it is!

Rick Archer
October 2009
dance@ssqq.com

THE MYSTERY OF XIYAGOU DEEPENS

From: wei han
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:32 AM
To: dance@ssqq.com
Subject: about huashan

Hello Rick,
I have seen your website on Huashan Mountain, which impressed me with its details and responses attracted. Just to clarify things a little bit, I went there in the 1990s.  I wouldn't say it's unbelievably dangerous, and it's certainly not realistic to expect people falling off every minute, but every step I took in some relatively dangerous trail, I needed to give my full concentration, I didn't even dare to turn my head around, the only thing I was looking at is my feet and the stairs. (and I promise you, if you concentrate, you will not fall off or anything).

When I went there, there certainly is no safety measures such as harness, and I heard in recent years, in those steep 90 degree climbs, the locals have built a safer steel stair next to the original stone stair, so all this adds to the safety of the trail.

And I certainly think it's unfair for people to go there, expecting 'mountain climbing' type of danger, with a touristy outfit.

Also, it's interesting to note the major Huashan accident that one of the email have mentioned. My father was one of the 4th military medical school students that have participated in the so-called 'huasha rescue', he recalled that on that day, he and his schoolmates stood at the very edge of the long narrow cliff (canglong ridge, apparent no supporting chain installed at the time), hand in hand, so that they themselves have formed a human wall protecting the other tourists. My dad said he thought at the time 'this is it!'...lol.

And thank you again for the informative website, I am very glad it has attracted so much attentions, because the sheer beauty of the mountain itself is worthwhile.

Regards, Wei

RICK ARCHER REPLIES

From: Rick Archer
To: weihan
Subject: RE: about huashan
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:59:05 -0500

As I piece together bits of information from people like yourself, I gather that my original assessment that Huashan was once a dangerous climb was legitimate. You say that if people pay attention and concentrate, they will be safe. Yet at the same time, your very own words - "I didn't even dare to turn my head around, the only thing I was looking at is my feet and the stairs" - indicate that you were well aware that any mistake could be fatal.

It is my guess that as China opens its doors to ever-increasing tourism, they are modernizing the facilities of their major attractions including safety features. I have heard that recent improvements have taken a great deal of the danger out of the climb. From my perspective, this is a good thing.

I don't regret labeling the Huashan climb as dangerous. One, perhaps my criticism called attention and helped officials decide to make it safer. Two, my 'danger' story also brought attention to the beauty of the area as well. With increased attention came curiosity and new Western visitors as well.
By the way, when your father said, "this is it", what did he mean? Did he mean 'this is it, this is wonderful' or did he mean 'this is it, never again'? just curious!

Thank you for your kind words, Wei.

By the way, do you know anything about Guoliang, another story I wrote about a location in China? Have you ever heard of the place known as Xiyagou? I am trying to learn more about both locations, but have exhausted most of the Internet material available to Westerners. Perhaps you know something I don't.

http://ssqq.com/archive/guoliang.htm
 

WEI REPLIES

From: wei han
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 2:35 PM
Subject: about huashan, guoliang, and xiyagou

Hello Rick, I have never been to either those locations before (and they certainly weren't even very famous among nationals), but just checked out a bit info, but I don't know if it's something you already know.

Apparently, guoliang tunnel is one of the 3 'hanging tunnels' located within taihang mountain range spanning across several provinces. The 3 tunnels are as follows:

1. guoliang tunnel in henan province (near guoliang village, it's the most famous tunnel, but the shortest tunnel, the village is now quite a touristy spot, so you can imagine the original feel is pretty much lost)
2. xiyagou tunnel in shanxi province (it's 1.5 km I think, and near xiyagou (which is a little basin 1000m lower than the mountain peaks surrounding it). xiyagou is longer than guoliang, and because xiyagou is located deeper within taihang mountain.  It is much more remote and less known; it's also the most dangerous to drive and difficult to build in the first place. It was built by the local who were pretty much geographically trapped within the mountain who desired outward communication
3. kunshan tunnel (again, much longer than guoliang tunnel.)

the 3 of them are all interlinked (needs clarification). guoliang and xiyagou is around tens of km apart.

The tunnels are more known for the impossible achievement in building them (built originally by villagers with the help of hammer in 30 years , lots of death, as you can imagine), but it is definitely a very difficult drive.

Here is a link (in chinese) with some quite nice pictures about kunshan tunnel, the author went there by car.
http://www.tianya.cn/publicforum/content/travel/1/61341.shtml

here's a blog on xiyagou with pics (in chinese again)
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5304e3f80100arp7.html

If you have any other thing about the place that you specifically want to know, please email me and I will try to find out from Chinese sources.

btw, my dad meant 'my life is going to end here'...^_^

Regards Wei

PICTURES OF XIYAGOU TUNNEL