The beauty of old gets revival
Print Edition
CANGCHENG Old City, Songjiang Old City and Xiatang Village in Songjiang District were recently included in 44 historic protection zones designated by the Shanghai Bureau of Urban Planning and Land Resources.
Cangcheng Old City has a history dating back 500 years. It contains two heritage sites protected under Shanghai law: Yi Garden built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and Dacang Bridge, which dates back 385 years.
The old city contains nine heritage sites under district-level protection and 81 registered cultural sites, including Zuibai Pond Park, the Du Mansion and the Songfang Tower, a mosque from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
There are 18 ancient mansions and 19 architectural sites of cultural significance yet to be registered.
Cangcheng was once famous as a rice storage depot and river transport center for grain. The word cang means “rice barn.” The town’s web of rivers and canals connect with the sea, and along those waterways, mansions, temples and bridges were built during the Ming Dynasty.
In 2008, a 3 billion yuan (US$435 million) renovation and preservation project began, starting with the relocation of 3,300 families living in dilapidated old houses. In 2013, the old moat was dredged and a riverside greenbelt built. The Shuicicang Temple of Lord Guan has been renovated and reopened to the public.
There’s an eight-meter height limit on buildings in the historic zone of Cangcheng Old City.
So far, Yi Garden, Feihua’s House, Du’s Mansion, Baosu Hall and Guandin Temple have been restored. In 2014, preservation work on Wang Chunyuan’s Mansion was completed, and last year work to restore Xu’s Pawnshop was finished.
Restoration work on Du’s Mansion set a benchmark. Located on the north side of Zhongshan Road W., the home built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) is famous for delicate woodcarvings on doors, windows, posts and handrails.
Today, the mansion has become a center for folk culture. Artists give performances there, and Songjiang embroidery and Qing furniture are exhibited. Lantern dances are staged in the surrounding gardens during festivals and holidays.
The mansion’s museum is open free to visitors. It has become a popular tourist site.
Songjiang Old City is marked by ancient houses, zigzagging lanes and traditional snack shops. It is under Shanghai historic protection.
The city features Fangta Park, home of the 900-year-old Fangta Tower and a stone-carved wall built in the Ming Dynasty, and a school built during the Qing Dynasty. The Songjiang Museum is also located in the old city.
The renovation of Xiatang Village in Sijing Town will begin this year. This protected zone was once home to notables such as newspaper tycoon Shi Liangcai (1880-1934), Fudan University founder Ma Xiangbo (1840-1939) and linguist Wen You (1901-1985).
By the end of this year, more than 300 families will be relocated to make way for renovation work. Three ancient houses will be restored to their original forms.
Songjiang has a treasure trove of cultural relics, including Feihua’s House, Qianjia Bridge, Xiuxi Temple, the tomb of Chen Zilong and Xilin Temple.
In the future, visitors can roll up their sleeves and try weaving in Feihua’s House, which was built during the Republic of China (1912-1949) era. They can view Kunqu Opera in Yi Garden, which originated in the Ming Dynasty. They can learn Chinese calligraphy in the Lu Ji Memorial Hall, which venerates the great master calligrapher, or they can enjoy zither performances in Qian Yitong’s House.
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