Xīyán

Xiyan lies in the mountains west of Quanzhou, where old paths cross the Yuecheng range. A patrol office was established here in the early Ming, and mountain roads linked the district with the seat at Quanzhou. One route crossed the high Baoding ridge, while another passed over Damao Ridge. In 1729 the Qing replaced the patrol office with a branch administration of Quanzhou, reflecting the continuing importance of governing this mountainous country.