Shíquán

Shiquan stands on a rocky terrace on the north bank of the Han River, surrounded by mountains. Its name, meaning stone springs, recalls the clear water emerging from rocks south of the town. The Ming rebuilt its walls in 1369, and later magistrates reinforced them with brick and stone. Floods repeatedly damaged the riverside defences. In 1798 forces of the White Lotus uprising fought Qing troops at Shiquan while seeking to cross the Han and enter Sichuan.