老(lao)縣城,原名佛(fo)爺坪(ping)(ping),因曾(ceng)是(shi)佛(fo)坪(ping)(ping)縣治,故(gu)稱(cheng)老(lao)縣城。今屬周(zhou)(zhou)至縣轄,但非(fei)周(zhou)(zhou)至老(lao)縣城。這里地(di)處秦(qin)嶺腹地(di),山高路遠,林海莽(mang)莽(mang),物種繁(fan)多,資(zi)源豐富,是(shi)個藏在深山人未識(shi)的"處女(nv)地(di)",被譽為"秦(qin)嶺翡翠"。
老縣城是佛坪縣城舊(jiu)址,現存城墻殘(can)跡、文廟及城隍廟遺址、白(bai)云(yun)(yun)塔、三龍珠石刻、古(gu)碑石、唐(tang)代云(yun)(yun)杉(shan)古(gu)樹(shu),附近有都督(du)門遺址、太(tai)白(bai)廟、藥王洞、怪石洞,以及傳說的四郎泉(quan)、北(bei)芳洲(zhou)等人(ren)文景(jing)物。
漢高(gao)祖(zu)年間(jian)開(kai)通(tong)儻(tang)駱古道(dao)(dao),時通(tong)時斷,前后延續了兩(liang)千多年。儻(tang)駱古道(dao)(dao)北起周(zhou)(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)駱峪(yu)口,途(tu)經老縣(xian)城(cheng)地區,南到洋(yang)縣(xian)儻(tang)峪(yu)口,是古代(dai)長安通(tong)往漢中、四(si)川的(de)六條交通(tong)干道(dao)(dao)之一。清道(dao)(dao)光4 年(1824 年) 在周(zhou)(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)縣(xian)和洋(yang)縣(xian)之間(jian)(現老縣(xian)城(cheng))設佛坪廳,民國十(shi)四(si)年(1925 年)縣(xian)城(cheng)遷往袁(yuan)家莊(今佛坪縣(xian)城(cheng)),人口逐漸(jian)減少(shao),目前僅剩一個自(zi)然(ran)村——老縣(xian)城(cheng)。
1958 年(nian)老(lao)縣(xian)城(cheng)歸屬周至縣(xian)厚畛子(zi)鄉(xiang)管轄; 1993 年(nian)西安(an)市人民政府在(zai)此(ci)批準建立老(lao)縣(xian)城(cheng)縣(xian)級自然保(bao)護區,同年(nian)厚畛子(zi)鎮——老(lao)縣(xian)城(cheng)村(cun)公路通車
2001 成立文管所,恢復保護老縣城文物(wu)
2002年開(kai)始修復老縣城城門(men),同年地方(fang)政(zheng)府組織(zhi)開(kai)展(zhan)旅游活(huo)動。
2013年12月25日,經國務(wu)院審定,成(cheng)為(wei)國家級自(zi)然保護區。
老(lao)縣(xian)城自然保護區地處秦嶺中段南坡的湑(xu)水河上(shang)游,行政(zheng)區域(yu)屬周至縣(xian)
厚(hou)畛子鎮,地(di)理位置東徑107°40′-107°49′、北緯(wei)33°43′-33°50′之間。保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)四周被4 個國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)、1 個擬建省(sheng)級(ji)(ji)(ji)大熊(xiong)(xiong)貓(mao)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)和1 個大熊(xiong)(xiong)貓(mao)走(zou)廊(lang)帶所包圍。東以(yi)(yi)秦(qin)嶺梁為界,與周至國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)接(jie)壤,南以(yi)(yi)財神(shen)嶺為界與佛坪國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)毗(pi)鄰,西(xi)(xi)南與長青國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)相(xiang)臨,西(xi)(xi)與黃(huang)柏(bo)塬自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(擬建)相(xiang)連,西(xi)(xi)北接(jie)太(tai)白山國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu),北以(yi)(yi)秦(qin)嶺分水嶺為界,與厚(hou)畛子林(lin)場大熊(xiong)(xiong)貓(mao)走(zou)廊(lang)帶相(xiang)靠(kao)(見附圖1),總面積(ji)12611 公頃。保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)整體(ti)地(di)形呈(cheng)“心”形,地(di)勢東南高(gao)(gao)而西(xi)(xi)北低,最(zui)高(gao)(gao)點(dian)魯班峰(feng)海(hai)(hai)拔2904 米(mi),最(zui)低處青龍(long)寨海(hai)(hai)拔1524 米(mi),相(xiang)對高(gao)(gao)差1380 米(mi)。
老(lao)(lao)縣城自(zi)然保護區管理處(chu)設在周至縣劇院(yuan)路,區內設有老(lao)(lao)縣城中心站。管理處(chu)至中
心(xin)站道路(lu)(lu)(lu)全長110 公(gong)里,由周至縣城沿108 國道至沙(sha)梁子(zi)(zi)(道路(lu)(lu)(lu)長63 公(gong)里),經“沙(sha)厚(hou)(hou)路(lu)(lu)(lu)” (沙(sha)梁子(zi)(zi)至厚(hou)(hou)畛子(zi)(zi)鄉村公(gong)路(lu)(lu)(lu),道路(lu)(lu)(lu)長25 公(gong)里)至厚(hou)(hou)畛子(zi)(zi),再轉“厚(hou)(hou)老路(lu)(lu)(lu)”(厚(hou)(hou)畛子(zi)(zi)至老縣城林(lin)Ⅲ級道路(lu)(lu)(lu),全長22 公(gong)里)抵達(da)老縣城。
目前周(zhou)(zhou)至縣(xian)城至厚畛(zhen)子每日發兩輛公(gong)(gong)共汽(qi)車(che),分別(bie)為早上八點(dian)和下午一點(dian)班次。從(cong)厚畛(zhen)子進入保護區(qu)內(nei)無公(gong)(gong)共汽(qi)車(che),入區(qu)交通極(ji)為不便。設在周(zhou)(zhou)至縣(xian)城的(de)保護區(qu)管(guan)理處(chu),東往76 公(gong)(gong)里(li)至西(xi)安,南(nan)去(qu)297 公(gong)(gong)里(li)抵漢中,西(xi)行(xing)106 公(gong)(gong)里(li)到寶雞(ji),北走65 公(gong)(gong)里(li)達咸(xian)陽。
老縣城自然保護區(qu)(qu)共有(you)野生種(zhong)子植(zhi)(zhi)物112 科,471 屬(shu)(shu),1146 種(zhong)(對于種(zhong)下(xia)等級原亞種(zhong)、原變種(zhong)或原變型不產(chan)于本(ben)區(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)在進行植(zhi)(zhi)物區(qu)(qu)系分析時,均按種(zhong)對待(dai),下(xia)同),分別占秦嶺種(zhong)子植(zhi)(zhi)物總(zong)科數(shu)的(de)(de)70%,總(zong)屬(shu)(shu)數(shu)的(de)(de)45%,總(zong)種(zhong)數(shu)的(de)(de)44%。
老(lao)縣城保護區內蘊藏著(zhu)豐富(fu)的(de)(de)資源植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu),據不完全(quan)統計,有藥用(yong)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)319 種(zhong)(zhong)(其(qi)中被《中華人民(min)共和(he)國(guo)藥典2000 版》收錄的(de)(de)原植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)有103 種(zhong)(zhong)),可(ke)用(yong)于庭院(yuan)或其(qi)它觀(guan)賞的(de)(de)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)232 種(zhong)(zhong),油脂(zhi)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)和(he)芳香(xiang)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)有136 種(zhong)(zhong),纖維植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)有43 種(zhong)(zhong),淀粉及糖類植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)有77 種(zhong)(zhong),鞣質植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)100 種(zhong)(zhong)。
初步調查確(que)知,老縣城自然保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)有野(ye)生脊(ji)椎動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)263 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬(shu)25 目(mu)70 科179 屬(shu),占陜西省脊(ji)椎動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(許濤(tao)清(qing)、曹(cao)永(yong)漢,1996)739 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的35.59%。其(qi)中(zhong),哺(bu)乳(ru)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)7 目(mu)24 科42 屬(shu)50 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);鳥類(lei)12 目(mu)35 科114 屬(shu)188 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);爬(pa)行類(lei)2 目(mu)5 科14 屬(shu)15 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);兩(liang)棲類(lei)2 目(mu)3 科4 屬(shu)5 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);魚類(lei)2目(mu)3 科5 屬(shu)5 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。在(zai)這些脊(ji)椎動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)中(zhong),有國家(jia)重(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)30 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong),國家(jia)I 級重(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)6 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),II 級重(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)24 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。它們分別(bie)是:哺(bu)乳(ru)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)I 級保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)5 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),II 級保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)6 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);鳥類(lei)I 級保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)1 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),II 級保(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)18 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
老縣(xian)城豐富的(de)植(zhi)物種類、明(ming)顯的(de)季(ji)相變化(hua)、茫(mang)茫(mang)的(de)茂密林海、稀(xi)有的(de)古樹名木、罕(han)見的(de)奇花(hua)異草、寶貴的(de)珍(zhen)稀(xi)植(zhi)物等所構成的(de)色彩斑斕(lan)、五色繽紛的(de)野(ye)生植(zhi)物景觀。
在(zai)保護區內,有野生(sheng)脊椎動物263 種(zhong),鳥類188 種(zhong)。其(qi)中國家(jia)一(yi)級保護動物有大(da)熊貓、金絲猴、羚(ling)牛(niu)(niu)、林(lin)(lin)麝(she)、豹(bao)等(deng)6 種(zhong)。無論是在(zai)草地上(shang)還是樹(shu)叢中,小型獸(shou)類及鳥類頻頻出沒,站在(zai)光頭山頂(ding),那成(cheng)(cheng)群結隊的羚(ling)牛(niu)(niu)在(zai)草地間撒(sa)歡,憨態可掬的大(da)熊貓在(zai)竹林(lin)(lin)里覓(mi)食(shi),機警敏(min)捷的金絲猴在(zai)樹(shu)冠中嬉戲,構成(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)幅“天(tian)蒼(cang)蒼(cang),野茫茫,野生(sheng)動物穿梭忙”的壯觀(guan)景(jing)象。
老縣(xian)城在河(he)流沖(chong)積作用(yong)下形成(cheng)的(de)(de)一個長約5 公里,寬約800 米的(de)(de)臺地(di),為(wei)典(dian)型的(de)(de)山(shan)間盆地(di)景觀,城南2 公里酷似(si)人頭頂的(de)(de)冠山(shan),城東的(de)(de)魯班峰,城北的(de)(de)藥王洞,阮全(quan)溝的(de)(de)溶(rong)洞,正河(he)的(de)(de)玉(yu)璽石(shi)等組成(cheng)豐富的(de)(de)山(shan)體景觀。
長(chang)約20 公里的(de)湑(xu)水河東向西(xi)流,形(xing)成(cheng)湑(xu)河漫步的(de)溪流景觀,城(cheng)南(nan)的(de)靈泉、漏澤泉、都(dou)督門的(de)楊(yang)泗將軍泉、青龍寨的(de)“小(xiao)水簾”則形(xing)成(cheng)優美的(de)山泉景觀。
清道光四年(nian)(1824 年(nian))曾在(zai)此(ci)設佛坪廳(ting)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),當時此(ci)處(chu)是佛坪縣(xian)(xian)政治、文化、經濟的(de)中(zhong)心,也是長安至(zhi)漢中(zhong)的(de)交(jiao)通樞(shu)紐(niu),南北物資的(de)交(jiao)流(liu)中(zhong)心。民國(guo)十四年(nian)(1925 年(nian))縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)遷往袁家莊,從此(ci)這一(yi)百年(nian)歷史的(de)縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)開始荒蕪,繁華不(bu)在(zai),湮沒在(zai)深山密林中(zhong),至(zhi)今(jin)給其留下(xia)一(yi)個永久雅號—老縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。老縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)有(you)很多處(chu)遺址,其中(zhong)有(you)古城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻、廳(ting)署、司獄(yu)署、文廟、城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)皇廟、三(san)圣(sheng)祠、靈泉(quan)、接官亭、石刻碑(bei)志(zhi)等。
老(lao)縣(xian)(xian)城自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)自(zi)1993 年(nian)(nian)成立后(hou),1995 年(nian)(nian)開(kai)(kai)通了老(lao)縣(xian)(xian)城至(zhi)厚畛子22 公里道(dao)路,結束(shu)了老(lao)縣(xian)(xian)城不通汽車的(de)歷史(shi),每年(nian)(nian)游(you)人到此(ci)絡(luo)繹(yi)不絕,逐(zhu)年(nian)(nian)遞(di)增。截止到2014年(nian)(nian),尚未開(kai)(kai)通通往保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)的(de)公交汽車,來保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)的(de)游(you)客大多自(zi)己帶車或由厚畛子步行,保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)也未開(kai)(kai)始征(zheng)收旅(lv)游(you)門票,旅(lv)游(you)接待設施(shi)有(you)老(lao)縣(xian)(xian)城保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)及(ji)老(lao)縣(xian)(xian)城村民開(kai)(kai)辦的(de)13 家(jia)“農家(jia)樂”,共25 個房間,107 張床(chuang)位可供住(zhu)宿(su),職工食堂可供40 人就餐。
文(wen)(wen)物(wu)游以(yi)古(gu)遺址為(wei)主(zhu),如(ru)朝天吼、三龍戲珠(zhu)、石佛像(xiang)、城隍廟、財神廟等(deng);“農家(jia)樂”現有13 戶,旅游活動(dong)包(bao)括游客吃農家(jia)飯(fan),住農家(jia)屋,享(xiang)受(shou)純厚的鄉村風情(qing)等(deng)。旅游活動(dong)集(ji)中在(zai)4 月下旬(xun)至10 月中旬(xun),游客大多為(wei)學生、記者、文(wen)(wen)藝工作者、藝術家(jia)、行政(zheng)管理(li)人員以(yi)及登山探險愛好者等(deng)。
住宿花費平均在每人每天30元,吃食費用依據自身飲(yin)食情況(kuang)而定。