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Old towns boast philosopher’s touch, culture galore
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THE lower reaches of the Yangtze River is famous for ancient towns and villages. Locals in these towns often lead a lifestyle that has remained remarkably similar to that of hundreds of years ago.
These towns also feature architecture typical of the region — black-tiled roofs with upturned eaves and white-washed exterior walls.
Xitang and Wuzhen towns are known nationwide. Tourists flock to these towns on holidays, which to some extent spoils their charm.
The good news is that Zhejiang Province boasts similar villages that are somewhat off the beaten path and not overly commercial, making them just right for a weekend trip.
Shanghai Daily takes a look at eight ancient villages and towns spread around the province — four today and four in next Wednesday’s Hangzhou Special.
On today’s tour, stop in a village that boasts descendants of the ancient philosopher Confucius, another that was home to a famous artist, one that features a gorgeous, 800-year-old camphor tree, and a town that has a temple built in 18th century as a stage for Yueju Opera.
Juxi Village
This village in Pan’an County dates back to the early Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and is listed as a protected national relic.
Its founder was Kong Duanrui, a 48th generation descendant of Confucius.
Kong fled with the Song court from Beijing to Zhejiang when the Jin people intruded northern China. Witnessing corruption and weakness in the Song Dynasty court, Kong became depressed and resigned his official position and settled in secluded Juxi.
Some of the villagers still carry the Kong surname and are descendants of Confucius. Kong’s Temple remains intact and family members still go to worship their ancestors.
How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Changzhou-Taizhou Expressway—Shaoxing-Zhuji Expressway—Zhuji-Yongjia Expressway
Zhangwu Village
This village in Anji County was the home of the great artist Wu Changshuo, a famous calligrapher, painter and seal maker.
The village has long valued intelligence and knowledge and numerous talents and masters from this small village went on to work in the imperial court during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The Wu family was the best known. The family took refuge in the village during the war between the Jin people and the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
The village boomed in large part because of the Wu family. Fast forward through the centuries and Zhangwu fell on hard times during the “cultural revolution” (1966-1976), when many traditional buildings were destroyed. Since the late 1970s, the local government has invested heavily to save and restore its ancient buildings.
Zhangwu was listed as one of China’s most beautiful villages in 2008.
How to get there: Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway—Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang Expressway
Qinchuan Village
Qinchuan Village is about an hour from Qiandao Lake. Jinde bridge with traditional upturned eaves welcomes visitors. The covered bridge was built in the rein of Emperor Tongzhi during the Qing Dynasty.
The village is separated into two parts by a creek so clean that some visitors wade barefoot in the water.
Stone bridges cross the creek, and thriving willows and camphor trees grow nearby. The oldest camphor tree is 800 years old. Residents can often be spotted sitting in the shade chatting or washing clothes and vegetables in the creek. Some 60 percent of the village’s buildings have upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters in the style of Hui buildings erected in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressway—Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway—Hangzhou-Xin’anjiang-Jingdezheng Expressway
Chongren Town
Chongren Town is in Shengzhou County, Shaoxing City, and dates back about 1,000 years. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), a family with the surname Qiu was knighted by the then emperor and they moved to this town. Four members of the family went on to become jinshi, literally “advanced scholar,” during that dynasty.
The town was eventually renamed Chongren, which means kindheartedness and justice, because the Qiu family admired those traits in others.
The town still features numerous buildings erected during the Northern Song Dynasty.
It also boasts Yushan Temple, which was erected in 1790 as one of the major provincial stages for Yueju Opera during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Changzhou-Taizhou Expressway—Ningbo-Jinhua Expressway
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