Enter the ancient city from Yongning Gate, turn your eyes eastward, and you will see a place called Shuyuanmen. Shuyuanmen is a cultural pedestrian street, and it is also the favorite place of Lao Xi 'an. Find a noon, make some friends, and stroll around here, you will feel very comfortable!
But I'm afraid few people know that in the depths of this alley, Guanzhong Academy, the highest institution of learning in northwest China in Ming and Qing Dynasties, is hidden. You know, Guan Xue was founded by Zhang Zai and passed down from generation to generation from the Northern Song Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty, and Guanzhong Academy played a key role in this process.
At the entrance of today's Academy, stands a statue of Feng Congwu, with a scroll in his hand, elegant expression and firm eyes. Guanzhong Academy is hidden in the depths of the alley, not as prosperous as Shuyuanmen Cultural Street, but it looks fresh and quiet.
Shuyuanmen Wenhua Street
Since the Republic of China, Guanzhong Academy has gradually declined. Until the founding of New China, Shuyuanmen area has not been improved, showing a dilapidated and outdated state. Time passed quickly, and in the 1990s, the government began to reform.
The government transformed the alley in front of the academy into a pedestrian street, and three characters were impressively written on the archway on the corner: the gate of the academy. The couplets on both sides, "National treasures are hidden in the forest of steles, and talents are cultivated in the academy", are quaint and atmospheric, reflecting the strong cultural heritage of the block.
On the street corner stands the pagoda of Baoqing Temple, which was built in the Sui Dynasty and later burned by the war. Today, only a seven-story brick tower remains, which bears witness to the long history of this area. The tower is hexagonal and 23 meters high, and the stone carvings and Buddha statues in the niche are still clearly identifiable.
Walking into the alley at the entrance of the academy, I realized what shoulder to shoulder meant. Especially in the golden week of tourism, tourists are bustling and crowded with the whole street. Listening to the story of the old Xi people wandering in the ancient city here, whether it is the great achievements of governors or the affair of literati, outsiders have opened their mouths and are amazed.
The alley is paved with bluestone, with lattice shop on both sides, all of which are antique buildings. The antique decoration of the shop, even the signs hung are the same specifications. The shopkeeper sat quietly without shouting, and interested tourists would naturally come forward to ask. The boss introduced it unhurriedly, revealing his elegant demeanor between gestures.
There are calligraphy rubbings and Four Treasures of the Study on the street stalls, as well as landscapes, lantian jade stones, seal cutting, selling Buddhist strings, blowing, neatly arranged thread-bound books and naughty and lovely shadow play, all of which are souvenirs for friends and relatives.
This street gives people a very strong cultural atmosphere. The origin of the place name of Shuyuanmen also comes from Guanzhong Academy in this street. Walking along this street, you will feel a very strong smell of old Xi 'an, so you can have a look.