The white walls and gray tiles are like smoke, and the ancient stone bridge is half-curved.
Biliu is hanging on to the past, shaking it down to sleep for whom.
Walking around Xitang, all you can see are paintings. The boat with a black canopy is rocking, carrying the glory of Wu and Yue; the weeping willows on the beach, the shadows of fish jumping on the clouds; the Hongqiao mooring at night, intoxicated by thousands of years of time; the winding path leads to the secluded, romantic and misty corridor. If you have never been to Wugenyuejiao, you can just imagine the splendor of the ancient town. If you come, you will definitely fall in love with this "Lilac Girl".
Among the six famous towns in the south of the Yangtze River, I was the last to encounter Xitang. Maybe I deliberately waited for "her" until the end, because "her" charm has already lingered in my heart.
Xitang, known as Xietang in ancient times, belongs to Jiashan County, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province today. It is located at the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It is one of the first batch of historical and cultural towns in my country. There are 250,000 square meters of well-preserved Ming and Qing architectural complexes in the town. Residential buildings are built near the water. There are 27 stone bridges, 122 ancient lanes and kilometers of corridors and sheds distributed within one square kilometer. The West Garden and Zhongfu Hall There are more than 20 scenic spots such as Shipi Lane, Shengtang, Qilaoye Temple, Ni Tianzeng's ancestral residence, and Button Museum.
Some people say that "the water of the Spring and Autumn Period, the towns of the Tang and Song Dynasties, the architecture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the modern people" are the business cards of Xitang. When I visited during the National Day holiday of 1898, I felt the rhythm of the footsteps, the fragrance of the alleys, and the oars. The light and shadow are cut, the fields sing gracefully, and Lu Li is intoxicated and knows where he is.
The Jingtang Grand Canal brings beauty and moisture to the water town of Xitang. Its territory is divided into eight districts at the intersection of nine rivers, which is called "Nine Dragons Holding Pearls". It creates a wonderful scene where the river passes through the bridge and the bridge connects the alleys. "Home is in the water, the bridge is in the sky, boats are sailing under the rainbow moon, and fish and people are overlapping shadows."
Countless bridge names: Wufu Bridge, Wan'an Bridge, Lion Bridge, Wolong Bridge, Yongning Bridge, Songzi Laifeng Bridge, and several more poetic and picturesque bridges. This bridge was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty and is the highest bridge in the ancient town. The arch shape is unique, the bridge body is thick and thick, the pillars have tassels, and the railings are beautifully chiseled. The bridge spans Xiaotong and Beicui from east to west. The double couplet is hanging and romantic: "People come and go through the water and the sky, and the shadows above and below shake the waves of the moon", "The ship passes through the jasper ring, and people walk up the rainbow belt."
In my opinion, the awning boat is the sister of Lu Xun’s childhood boat ride. But the "Wupeng" in Shaoxing is not as good as the "Wupeng" in Xitang. The "Wupeng" in Shaoxing has "three clear tiles", that is, there are two in the middle cabin and one clear tile in the rear cabin. "Wukeng" is much more generous. Along with the different street scenes and different eras, the regional cultural differences between Wu and Yue give Xitang "Wupeng" a more merchant-like atmosphere.
“Alley” means lane in the Wu dialect, and the lanes in Xitang are even more unique. Because of the dense waterways, residents cherish the land like gold. Whether it is a business or a residential building, the distance between the houses is always minimized. Among them, Shushipi Lane is the most representative. It is located on Xiaxi Street in the ancient town. It is named after the stone slabs paved on the ground that are as thin as skin. The lane was built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Among the many alleys in Xitang, it is the narrowest. The width is only 1 meter, the narrowest point of the alley entrance is only 0.8 meters, and the total length is 68 meters. It is paved with 166 bluestone slabs on the top and covered with sewers on the bottom. There is less dust on sunny days and less dust on rainy days. No mud.
The Misty Rain Corridor is a beautiful scenery in Xitang Ancient Town. It is also a unique building in the water town. The promenade is a street facing the river, integrating the market thoroughfare and providing both rain and shade. There are many commercial ports here, and you can hear the accents from the south and the north. The dark tiles and lattice thickly cover the beauty of the south of the Yangtze River, and the dazzling windows capture the scenery of the waterfront. Hot, sour, sweet, salty, mellow and bitter, with hundreds of flavors, red, orange, blue, green, indigo and purple, a dazzling array. Even the shop front is branded with elegant culture. "Little Cheap Ice Cream Tea Shop", "Old Wooden Bar", "Cat's Sky Bookstore", "Dream Covered Bridge", "Xitang Memory", "Muyan Muyu Utopia" are all available. I specially bought a "sugar painting" and a "sugar man" to pursue my childhood memories amidst the crowds of people. I remember that the Hollywood movie "Mission: Impossible 3" was filmed in Xitang a few years ago. As the movie star Tom Cruise jumped between the white walls and black tiles, foreigners from other places also came to join in the fun. It just so happened that I had an affair with a Western girl who "stole" me and Xitang away.
I don’t know who “burned” Hong Kong and named it “Burn Hong Kong” street. The music bar was rocking like crazy. If I hadn't tasted a piece of Xitang's specialty "gorgon fruit", my heart would have been flying.
Guo Suiliangwang Temple listened to the legend of the "Seven Masters" protecting Xitang. Xiyuan commemorates the memory of the poet Liu Yazi. It is said that the poet once held activities in Nanshe here. The Wood Sculpture Museum collects wood carvings of small buildings in water towns during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, including beams, arches, sparrows, flower windows, etc., showing the delicate and ancient style of Jiangnan folk houses. The Tile Exhibition Hall also displays the brick and tile components of the house. The exquisite production and gorgeous carvings highlight the local customs. What I will not forget is the Five Girls of Tian Ge, who performed Wu Sheng Nong's songs on the water stage, interpreting the story of the landowner lady of the Yang family in Tangdong Village in the late Qing Dynasty and the long-term worker Xu Atian who fell in love until death.
Dream of water town, trekking in the long river of culture. According to historical records, Xitang has produced 19 Jinshi and 31 Juren in its history. Since the Ming Dynasty, as many as 103 people have published works.
Could it be the place that Wang Bo praised as "a land of abundant resources, natural treasures, and outstanding people"? Shi Xian sat silently on the bluestone engraved with historical rings, looking at the swaying boat under the bridge, looking at the girl with a flower umbrella clinging to her lover's shoulder in the corridor opposite, and peeping at the girl sitting quietly on the horse. The tea peddler was far away from the hustle and bustle of the world for a while, and he forgot about the troubles of the world. He realized all this through Zen. Could it be a picture of "Wo Nong" written by Duan Duosheng of the Yuan Dynasty in "Wo Nong Ci"? The person is in the painting, and the environment is outside the scene. !
Editor's note: The fresh and elegant style of writing describes Xitang with ancient charm. The unique scenery and simplicity of Xitang are displayed between the lines. The rich history and culture. The delicate narration of Xitang's ancient and modern charm, embodying emotions and scenery, is fascinating Take a peek.