 |
Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains) City borders on Zhejiang and Jiangxi
Provinces. It has under its jurisdiction three districts (Tunxi, Huangshan
and Huizhou) and four counties (Shexian,Yixian, Xiuning and Qimen),
which cover much of the area used to be known as Huizhou. The Yellow
Mountains also reach some areas in Taiping and other nearby counties.
The scenery of the Yellow Mountains unfolds as they extend. Flowing
in front of the Mountains is the blue Xin'an River. On the back of the
mountain lies the placid Taiping Lake. At the eastern end of the Mountains
is situated the Qingliang Peak Natural Reservation. The Guniujiang Natural
Reservation is located at the western end of the Mountains. On both
sides of the southern slopes are the quiet and secluded Yixian County
and Shexian County known for their historic and cultural heritage- Further
ahead, right to the south is the river town of Tunxi District, which
is the seat of the Huangshan Municipal Government. To the southwest
lies Qiyun Mountain which is known as Baiyue, in Chinese: White Mountain.
These picturesque scenic areas are crisscrossed by winding brooks and
dotted with aged houses, streets, bridges, stone archways, pagodas,
clan halls. The region is also easily accessible by air, railways. Huangshan
is renowned as the national park of nature and a Museum of history-
The following are sketches of the scenic spots-Houses of the Ming and
Qing Dynasties (16th---19th centuries) in Yixian County. As it is hidden
in the mountains, Yixian County is known as a land of peach blossoms,
meaning a haven of peace in Chinese literature. On entering the county,
one can hardly see any houses along the stream between the green hills.
However, going through the hill passes, An open basin comes into sight
where over 3,000 well-preserved pre-20th century houses are shaded on
the slopes of the green hills, which are acclaimed by tourists and scholars
as the most beautiful villages in the world and a treasure house of
the traditional Chinese house style.Xidi Village and Hong Village attract
particular attention for the clustered houses. The topography of Xidi
Village is well planned. 122 houses, in black, white and gray colors,
were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Each has white walls, with
elaborated-shaped eaves and courtyards. The entrance gates and windows
display typical features of local wood, brick and stone carving. Of
particular interest is a glided balcony overreaching into the lane at
Dafudi, the name of a clan hall, It was said that anyone fortunate enough
to catch the colorful ball thrown by the young lady from the balcony
could win her love. Crystal-clear water in the ditches connecting every
household provide endless stream to the housewife for daily use. Standing
tall at the village entrance is the Hu Wenguang Stone Archway, a single-structured
and four storied building that is composed of three parts and supported
by four pillars, the archway was a masterpiece of the Ming Dynasty architecture,
testifying to the past prosperity of the village's history. Not far
from Xidi Village is Hong Village which is also famed for its pre-20th
Century buildings. What is unique about the village is that it is ox-shaped
topography. The high ground is like the ox head, the ancient trees at
the entrance are like ox horns and bridges like ox hoofs. The houses
form the trunk and the river is like an ox tail. The 1,000 meter long
zigzagging ditch is compared to ox intestines, and the Moon-shaped pond,
Nanhu Lake, take the shape of ox stomach. Thanks to the endless supply
of water, flowers and fruits are grown in abundance in every courtyard,
with water corridors winding through them. Fish is also raised in the
pond. In addition, the pre-20th Century houses in Xi Wu, clan halls
also enjoy a great reputation. The historical and cultural renown town---Shexian
County, Shexian County was set up back in the Qin Dynasty 0ver 2,000
years ago, which was the seat of the local government in the Tang, Song,
Yuan Ming and Qing Dynasties. In those days it was also popularly known
as Huizhou. Throughout history, it is the political, economic and cultural
center of the southern mountain region of Anhui Province. The growth
of local commerce reached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties,
and the town became famous nation-wide for its wealth. Because of its
rich historical and cultural heritage as well as the numerous scenic
spots, the Chinese Government designated Shexian County as one of the
cities and towns of historical and cultural renown in China. Two pagodas
of the Song Dynasty. Changqing Temple Pagoda stands high at the foot
of Xigan Hill along the Lianjiang River. Filled with earth inside, it
is an imposing square-shaped seven storied pagoda, with color Buddhist
images painted on the wall and elaborate eaves at the pagoda top. The
iron decorations hanging on the eaves sound like bell in the gentle
wind. Xinzhou Pagoda is a simple and natural designed stone structure
in the west fern part of the town. There are diamond shaped stone eaves
on each of the five stories and Buddhist inscripti0ns on the pagoda
surface. Both pagodas are over 800 years old.Three Aged Bridges. They
are Taiping Bridge, Wannian Bridge, Ziyang Bridge. These stone arch
bridges built in the Ming Dynasty stand across the Lianjiang River that
flows around the town. With a length of 279.87 meters, Taiping Bridge
has two lanes and 16 arches. Three wonders of the traditional architecture.
They refer to stone archways, ancient clan halls and age-old houses.
Built in the Ming Dynasty, Xuguo Stone Archway located in the county
town is under government preservation because of its cultural value.
It is a well-designed big four directional stone archway supported by
eight pillars, with all the beams linking one another. The three storied
front archway and back archway are each supported by two pillars, and
the three storied side archways are each supported by two pillars. Exquisite
patterns of rare animals and birds were carved on the archway. Leaning
against the pillars are 12 vividly carved stone lions. There stand seven
archways (two of the Ming Dynasty and five of the Qing
| 
|
Bank
Post
office:
Hospital:
Police
Station:
please dail 110
Airport
Railway
station
Bus
station
city
transport
Food
Shopping
Entertainment |