老縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng),原名佛(fo)爺坪(ping),因曾是佛(fo)坪(ping)縣(xian)(xian)治,故稱老縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng)。今屬周(zhou)至縣(xian)(xian)轄,但非周(zhou)至老縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng)。這里地(di)(di)處秦嶺(ling)(ling)腹地(di)(di),山(shan)高路遠,林海莽(mang)莽(mang),物種繁多,資源豐富,是個藏(zang)在深山(shan)人未識的(de)"處女地(di)(di)",被譽(yu)為"秦嶺(ling)(ling)翡翠"。
老縣城(cheng)是佛(fo)坪(ping)縣城(cheng)舊(jiu)址(zhi),現(xian)存城(cheng)墻殘跡、文(wen)廟(miao)及城(cheng)隍廟(miao)遺址(zhi)、白(bai)云塔、三龍珠(zhu)石刻、古碑石、唐代云杉古樹,附近有都(dou)督門遺址(zhi)、太白(bai)廟(miao)、藥王洞、怪石洞,以及傳說的四郎泉、北芳洲等人文(wen)景物(wu)。
漢(han)高(gao)祖年間開通(tong)(tong)儻(tang)駱古(gu)道(dao)(dao),時通(tong)(tong)時斷(duan),前(qian)后(hou)延續(xu)了兩千多年。儻(tang)駱古(gu)道(dao)(dao)北(bei)起周至(zhi)駱峪(yu)口,途經(jing)老縣(xian)城(cheng)地區,南到洋(yang)縣(xian)儻(tang)峪(yu)口,是古(gu)代長(chang)安通(tong)(tong)往漢(han)中、四川的六條交通(tong)(tong)干(gan)道(dao)(dao)之一。清道(dao)(dao)光4 年(1824 年) 在周至(zhi)縣(xian)和洋(yang)縣(xian)之間(現老縣(xian)城(cheng))設佛坪廳,民國十四年(1925 年)縣(xian)城(cheng)遷往袁(yuan)家莊(今佛坪縣(xian)城(cheng)),人口逐漸減少,目前(qian)僅剩一個自(zi)然(ran)村——老縣(xian)城(cheng)。
1958 年老(lao)(lao)縣(xian)城歸屬周至縣(xian)厚畛(zhen)(zhen)子鄉管轄; 1993 年西安市人(ren)民(min)政府在此(ci)批準建立老(lao)(lao)縣(xian)城縣(xian)級自然保護區,同(tong)年厚畛(zhen)(zhen)子鎮(zhen)——老(lao)(lao)縣(xian)城村(cun)公路通車
2001 成立文(wen)管所(suo),恢復保護老縣城(cheng)文(wen)物
2002年(nian)開始修復老縣城(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)門,同年(nian)地方政府組織開展旅游活動。
2013年(nian)12月(yue)25日,經國務(wu)院審定,成(cheng)為國家(jia)級自然(ran)保護區。
老縣(xian)(xian)城(cheng)自然保(bao)護(hu)區地(di)處秦嶺中段南坡的湑水河上(shang)游(you),行政區域(yu)屬周至縣(xian)(xian)
厚畛子鎮(zhen),地(di)理位(wei)置東(dong)徑107°40′-107°49′、北緯33°43′-33°50′之間。保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)四周被4 個國家級(ji)(ji)自(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)、1 個擬(ni)建省級(ji)(ji)大熊貓保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)和1 個大熊貓走廊帶(dai)所包圍。東(dong)以秦(qin)嶺梁(liang)為(wei)界,與(yu)周至(zhi)國家級(ji)(ji)自(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)接壤(rang),南(nan)以財(cai)神嶺為(wei)界與(yu)佛坪國家級(ji)(ji)自(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)毗鄰(lin),西南(nan)與(yu)長青國家級(ji)(ji)自(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)相臨,西與(yu)黃柏塬自(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)(擬(ni)建)相連(lian),西北接太白山國家級(ji)(ji)自(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護區(qu),北以秦(qin)嶺分水嶺為(wei)界,與(yu)厚畛子林場大熊貓走廊帶(dai)相靠(見附(fu)圖1),總面積(ji)12611 公頃。保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)整(zheng)體(ti)地(di)形呈(cheng)“心”形,地(di)勢東(dong)南(nan)高(gao)而西北低(di),最高(gao)點魯(lu)班峰海拔(ba)2904 米,最低(di)處(chu)青龍寨海拔(ba)1524 米,相對高(gao)差1380 米。
老(lao)縣城(cheng)自然(ran)保護區管理(li)處設在周至縣劇院路,區內設有老(lao)縣城(cheng)中心(xin)站。管理(li)處至中
心站道(dao)路(lu)(lu)(lu)(lu)全長(chang)110 公(gong)里(li),由周至(zhi)(zhi)縣城(cheng)沿108 國道(dao)至(zhi)(zhi)沙梁子(zi)(zi)(道(dao)路(lu)(lu)(lu)(lu)長(chang)63 公(gong)里(li)),經“沙厚(hou)路(lu)(lu)(lu)(lu)” (沙梁子(zi)(zi)至(zhi)(zhi)厚(hou)畛子(zi)(zi)鄉村公(gong)路(lu)(lu)(lu)(lu),道(dao)路(lu)(lu)(lu)(lu)長(chang)25 公(gong)里(li))至(zhi)(zhi)厚(hou)畛子(zi)(zi),再轉“厚(hou)老(lao)路(lu)(lu)(lu)(lu)”(厚(hou)畛子(zi)(zi)至(zhi)(zhi)老(lao)縣城(cheng)林(lin)Ⅲ級(ji)道(dao)路(lu)(lu)(lu)(lu),全長(chang)22 公(gong)里(li))抵達老(lao)縣城(cheng)。
目前周(zhou)至(zhi)縣(xian)城(cheng)至(zhi)厚(hou)畛子每日發兩(liang)輛公(gong)共汽車,分別(bie)為早(zao)上八點(dian)和(he)下(xia)午(wu)一點(dian)班次(ci)。從厚(hou)畛子進入保(bao)護區內無公(gong)共汽車,入區交通(tong)極為不便。設在周(zhou)至(zhi)縣(xian)城(cheng)的保(bao)護區管(guan)理處(chu),東往76 公(gong)里(li)至(zhi)西安,南(nan)去297 公(gong)里(li)抵漢(han)中,西行106 公(gong)里(li)到寶雞(ji),北(bei)走65 公(gong)里(li)達咸陽。
老縣城(cheng)自然保護區(qu)共(gong)有野生種(zhong)(zhong)子植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)112 科(ke),471 屬,1146 種(zhong)(zhong)(對(dui)于種(zhong)(zhong)下等(deng)級原(yuan)亞種(zhong)(zhong)、原(yuan)變(bian)種(zhong)(zhong)或原(yuan)變(bian)型(xing)不產于本區(qu)的在(zai)進行(xing)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)區(qu)系分析時,均按(an)種(zhong)(zhong)對(dui)待,下同(tong)),分別占秦嶺種(zhong)(zhong)子植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)總(zong)(zong)科(ke)數的70%,總(zong)(zong)屬數的45%,總(zong)(zong)種(zhong)(zhong)數的44%。
老縣(xian)城保護區內蘊藏著(zhu)豐富的資源植(zhi)物(wu)(wu),據(ju)不完全(quan)統計,有藥用植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)319 種(zhong)(其中被(bei)《中華人民共(gong)和國(guo)藥典2000 版》收(shou)錄(lu)的原植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)有103 種(zhong)),可(ke)用于庭(ting)院或其它(ta)觀賞的植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)232 種(zhong),油(you)脂植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)和芳(fang)香(xiang)植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)有136 種(zhong),纖(xian)維植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)有43 種(zhong),淀(dian)粉及糖類(lei)植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)有77 種(zhong),鞣(rou)質植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)100 種(zhong)。
初步(bu)調查確知,老縣城自(zi)然保護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)有野生(sheng)脊(ji)椎(zhui)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)263 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬(shu)25 目(mu)70 科(ke)(ke)179 屬(shu),占陜西省脊(ji)椎(zhui)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(許濤清、曹永漢,1996)739 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)35.59%。其中,哺乳動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)7 目(mu)24 科(ke)(ke)42 屬(shu)50 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);鳥類(lei)(lei)12 目(mu)35 科(ke)(ke)114 屬(shu)188 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);爬行(xing)類(lei)(lei)2 目(mu)5 科(ke)(ke)14 屬(shu)15 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);兩棲(qi)類(lei)(lei)2 目(mu)3 科(ke)(ke)4 屬(shu)5 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);魚類(lei)(lei)2目(mu)3 科(ke)(ke)5 屬(shu)5 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。在這些(xie)脊(ji)椎(zhui)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)中,有國家重(zhong)點(dian)保護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)30 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中,國家I 級(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)6 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),II 級(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)24 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。它們分(fen)別是(shi):哺乳動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)I 級(ji)保護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)5 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),II 級(ji)保護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)6 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);鳥類(lei)(lei)I 級(ji)保護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)1 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),II 級(ji)保護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)18 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
老縣城豐富的植物(wu)(wu)種類、明顯的季相變化、茫(mang)茫(mang)的茂密林海(hai)、稀有的古樹名木、罕見(jian)的奇花異(yi)草(cao)、寶(bao)貴的珍(zhen)稀植物(wu)(wu)等所(suo)構成(cheng)的色彩斑斕、五色繽紛的野生(sheng)植物(wu)(wu)景(jing)觀。
在(zai)(zai)保(bao)護區內,有野生脊椎動物(wu)263 種,鳥(niao)類(lei)188 種。其中國家一(yi)級保(bao)護動物(wu)有大(da)熊貓、金絲(si)(si)猴、羚(ling)牛(niu)、林麝(she)、豹(bao)等6 種。無論(lun)是(shi)在(zai)(zai)草地(di)上還是(shi)樹叢中,小型獸類(lei)及鳥(niao)類(lei)頻頻出沒,站在(zai)(zai)光頭(tou)山頂,那成(cheng)群結隊的(de)羚(ling)牛(niu)在(zai)(zai)草地(di)間(jian)撒歡,憨(han)態可掬的(de)大(da)熊貓在(zai)(zai)竹林里覓(mi)食,機警(jing)敏捷的(de)金絲(si)(si)猴在(zai)(zai)樹冠中嬉(xi)戲,構成(cheng)一(yi)幅(fu)“天蒼蒼,野茫茫,野生動物(wu)穿梭忙(mang)”的(de)壯(zhuang)觀景象(xiang)。
老縣城(cheng)(cheng)在河流沖積作用(yong)下(xia)形成的(de)一個長約5 公里(li),寬約800 米的(de)臺(tai)地,為典型的(de)山(shan)間盆地景(jing)觀(guan),城(cheng)(cheng)南(nan)2 公里(li)酷(ku)似人頭頂的(de)冠山(shan),城(cheng)(cheng)東的(de)魯班(ban)峰,城(cheng)(cheng)北的(de)藥王洞,阮全(quan)溝的(de)溶洞,正河的(de)玉璽石等組成豐富(fu)的(de)山(shan)體景(jing)觀(guan)。
長約20 公(gong)里的(de)湑水(shui)河(he)東向西流,形(xing)成(cheng)(cheng)湑河(he)漫步(bu)的(de)溪(xi)流景觀,城(cheng)南的(de)靈泉(quan)、漏澤(ze)泉(quan)、都(dou)督門的(de)楊泗(si)將軍(jun)泉(quan)、青龍寨的(de)“小水(shui)簾(lian)”則形(xing)成(cheng)(cheng)優美(mei)的(de)山泉(quan)景觀。
清(qing)道光(guang)四年(nian)(nian)(1824 年(nian)(nian))曾在(zai)此(ci)設(she)佛(fo)坪(ping)廳(ting)城(cheng)(cheng),當時此(ci)處是(shi)佛(fo)坪(ping)縣政治、文化(hua)、經濟(ji)的(de)(de)中(zhong)(zhong)心,也是(shi)長(chang)安至漢中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)交通樞紐,南(nan)北(bei)物(wu)資(zi)的(de)(de)交流(liu)中(zhong)(zhong)心。民國十四年(nian)(nian)(1925 年(nian)(nian))縣城(cheng)(cheng)遷往袁家莊,從(cong)此(ci)這一百(bai)年(nian)(nian)歷史(shi)的(de)(de)縣城(cheng)(cheng)開(kai)始荒蕪,繁華不在(zai),湮沒在(zai)深(shen)山密林中(zhong)(zhong),至今給其留下一個永久雅號—老(lao)(lao)縣城(cheng)(cheng)。老(lao)(lao)縣城(cheng)(cheng)有很多處遺(yi)址,其中(zhong)(zhong)有古城(cheng)(cheng)墻、廳(ting)署、司獄署、文廟(miao)、城(cheng)(cheng)皇廟(miao)、三(san)圣祠、靈泉(quan)、接官亭、石刻(ke)碑志等。
老縣城(cheng)自然保護(hu)區自1993 年(nian)(nian)成立后,1995 年(nian)(nian)開(kai)通了老縣城(cheng)至厚畛(zhen)子22 公里道路,結(jie)束(shu)了老縣城(cheng)不(bu)(bu)通汽車(che)(che)的(de)歷史,每年(nian)(nian)游人(ren)到此絡繹不(bu)(bu)絕,逐年(nian)(nian)遞(di)增(zeng)。截止(zhi)到2014年(nian)(nian),尚(shang)未開(kai)通通往(wang)保護(hu)區的(de)公交汽車(che)(che),來(lai)保護(hu)區的(de)游客大多自己(ji)帶車(che)(che)或由厚畛(zhen)子步(bu)行(xing),保護(hu)區也未開(kai)始征收(shou)旅(lv)游門票,旅(lv)游接待設施有老縣城(cheng)保護(hu)站及(ji)老縣城(cheng)村民開(kai)辦的(de)13 家“農家樂”,共25 個房間,107 張床位可供(gong)住宿,職工食(shi)堂可供(gong)40 人(ren)就餐。
文(wen)物游以古遺址(zhi)為主,如朝(chao)天(tian)吼、三龍戲珠、石佛(fo)像(xiang)、城隍(huang)廟、財神廟等(deng);“農家(jia)(jia)樂”現有13 戶,旅(lv)游活動包括游客吃農家(jia)(jia)飯,住農家(jia)(jia)屋,享受純厚的鄉村風情等(deng)。旅(lv)游活動集中(zhong)在4 月下(xia)旬(xun)(xun)至(zhi)10 月中(zhong)旬(xun)(xun),游客大多為學生(sheng)、記者、文(wen)藝工作者、藝術家(jia)(jia)、行(xing)政管理人員(yuan)以及(ji)登山探險愛(ai)好者等(deng)。
住(zhu)宿花費平均在每(mei)人每(mei)天30元,吃(chi)食費用(yong)依據自(zi)身(shen)飲食情況而定。