Wǔfēng

Wǔfēng lies among the high ridges of southwestern Hubei, in country once governed by hereditary native chiefs. The Ming established the Wǔfēng Shíbǎo native office in 1373; after a period of abolition, it was restored in 1407. Mountain roads were difficult to maintain: a record written by the Róngměi chief Tián Shùnnián in 1693 describes improvements to a route through the region. In 1735 the Qing replaced native rule with appointed officials and established Chánglè County here.