Mei Pass (Chinese: 梅關; literally 'Plum Pass') is a strategic site around 30 kilometres north of Nanxiong (南雄) in Guangdong (廣東), China. It is situated in the Meiling Mountains (梅嶺) and forms the boundary between the provinces of Jiangxi (江西) and Guangdong.
Most tourists visit Mei Pass in winter, when the plum blossoms are in full bloom.
Nowadays, around 8 kilometres of the Tang (唐) road and most of the Song (宋) fortifications are still extant.
The surviving fortifications have the words "Majestic pass of Nanyue" (南粤雄關) carved on the northern side and "First pass of Lingnan" (嶺南第一關) carved on the other side. Both Nanyue and Lingnan are alternative names for Guangdong.
In 716, the Chancellor Zhang Jiuling (張九齡) constructed a 5 metres wide road through the pass as part of the trade route along the Gan River (贛江).
It is said that the plum blossoms will be more beautiful in cold weather, that’s why the plum flowers look tough but elegant.
Thanks to Mei Pass, the traffic between Guangdong and the rest of China becomes more convenient, it is not just a historical heritage, but also a great benefit to Guangdong people.
