 |
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
|