Liqian

Liqian () was a county established during the Western Han dynasty and located in the south of modern Yongchang County, Jinchang, in Gansu province of Northwest China. The Western Han inhabitants of the county had migrated to the area from western regions. The county was renamed Liqian () during the Northern Wei dynasty and disestablished during the Sui dynasty, becoming part of Fanhe County. There is a theory that some of the modern-day residents of Zhelaizhai (now Liqian village, in Jiaojiazhuang township) are descendants of a group of Roman soldiers that were never accounted for after being captured in the Battle of Carrhae. However, Chinese authorities, a 2007 genetic study, and archaeologists have debunked this theory.

== History == The area that became Liqian County did not become part of Chinese territory until the Western Han dynasty conquered this area in the 2nd century BC. Until the 1st century BC, it belonged to Fanhe county (), Zhangye prefecture ().