Line Eleven: Tour to the ancient capitals
Anhui boosts a long history and rich tourism resources. There are three major rivers-Yangtze River, Huaihe River and Xin'an River, three famous mountains-Mount Huang, Mount Jiuhua and Mount Tianzhu to form the wonderful landscape layout; Taoist philosophy, Jian’an literature, Tongcheng literary school and Xin’an culture accumulated rich cultural heritage. The ancient culture is the most sparkling one.
Introduction of the spots
What's so special about the line
Along this line, back to 2500 years ago to the source of our blood which we can not escape; our roots lives on in the Spring and Autumn period, or in the Three Kingdoms, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasty. Touring here, you may be surprised to find the dreams of ancient philosophers and smiles from our ancestors.
★ Shouxian Old City ★
As a national historical and cultural city, the Shouchun ancient city in Shouxian county is famous all over the world for its unique mountains, water, city and famous people. It is an ancient city wall that is the best preserves the Song Dynasty and it is a national cultural heritage site. The ancient city wall is made up of a barbican gate, moat, drawbridge, turrets and police auxiliary and the battlements of hope and perforation holes forming a complete defense system.
In Shouchun ancient city, we are able to appreciate old buildings such as the State Department, Kui Kwong Court, Pan Chi lake, left calf Temple, House of Number One Scholar, Arrow Road, Lane and other ancient buildings. Here, we’re able to enjoy the desserts such as "Da Jiu Jia" cakes and Bagong Mountain tofu.
★ Imperial Mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty ★
Situated about six km southwest of the county seat of Fengyang, Chuzhou city, the Imperial Mausoleum was built by Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398), the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), for his parents and brothers.
The mausoleum, in the shape of an inverted bowl, rises to a height of 5 meters. Made of earth, it occupies an area of about one square km, with the base being 50 meters from east to west and 35 meters from north to south.
The tombs are surrounded by three walls. A succession of residential buildings spreads out on either side of the central axial line of these three city walls, forming a large-scale and impressive architectural group.
To the north of the Golden Water Bridge sits the Sacred Way, 257 meters long and 6.3 meters wide with 32 pairs of stone statues on both sides. It is said that these stone statues are the earliest and the best of their kind from the Ming Dynasty, and they are certainly the largest in number. They are of extremely high artistic and historical value.
★ Site of Mid-Ming Dynasty Imperial City ★
Built in 1369 AD, this site is located in the northwest of Fengyang county. Its basic characteristic is symmetrical and it follows the "Left Zu right Du" tradition, it inherits architecture from the Song and Yuan Dynasty, lead the Ming and Qing Dynasty, being a masterpiece of China's ancient capital construction in the history, and it was also used as the blueprint when constructing the Nanjing National Palace Museum and Forbidden City in Beijing. Its scales, regulation and advanced technologies make it the best in the world. In the site, there are three cities-inner, middle and outer ones, with more than 9,000 palaces, towers, gates, altars, houses, and other buildings, the total construction area of more than 840,000 square meters. In more than 600 years, the site has undergone a lot of improvements; however the site’s layout still remains very impressive. The Imperial Meridian Gate, West Gate and its nearly 1,100 meters long wall are still intact. 80-meter wide moat is in its original conditions. In particular, the five giant stone foundations by the side of the house Fengtian Beaulieu, each boasts an area of 7.3 square meters of fine vivid carvings, and is known as the "East Babylon, first class of Ming Dynasty." In 1982, it is listed as national cultural heritage site.
★ Huaxi Building (Flower Art Theater) ★
Also known as the Great Emperor Guan Temple and the Shanxi-Shaanxi Commercial Guildhall, this is a key cultural relic site under state protection. It was built in the 15th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1676) of the Qing Dynasty, with more colored drawings and carvings added in the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). The building is noted worldwide for its exquisite carvings and florid colored drawings. With a floorage of 3.16 square km, it consists of a stage, a bell tower, a drum tower, an auditorium and Great Emperor Guan Temple.
The consummate brick carvings, the ornate colored drawings and wood carvings, and the 6,000-kg iron flag post with a dragon twining round it are known as the "three wonders" of Huaxi Building and "treasures in the Central Plains". The unrivaled brick carvings and colored drawings, mysterious and zigzagging underground paths, bustling medicinal material transaction center, simple and solemn Huazu'an Nunnery, unique exhibition park of the Gujing Wine Culture and the beautiful Wanfo Pagoda show the charm of time-honored Bozhou.
★ Cao Cao Underground Tunnel for Transporting Troops ★
Lying in the old city of Bozhou, it is an underground military defensive tunnel built by Cao Cao (155-220), a famous politician, militarist and literati, in his hometown.
It underwent repeated expansion in the Song and Yuan dynasties. About 3-8 meters below the surface of the downtown area, the tunnel extents some 10 km, it is a military tunnel with the longest history, most complicated structure, largest scale and complete facilities ever discovered in China. Therefore, it is renowned as the Underground Great Wall.
The whole tunnel is crisscrossed with complicated and subtle arrangements, with multilevel distribution and complex construction. The tunnel takes the shape of a "T” when it turns. The two parallel lanes are spaced 2-3.5 meters apart, and there are square holes for passing on a message on the wall between them.
Along the deep and zigzagging tunnel, some military and supporting facilities were built, including foxholes, obstacle walls, stumbling boards, traps, vent holes, holes for passing on a message and niches for torches. The cultural relics of the Han, Tang and Song dynasties unearthed in the tunnel include pills, soldier's swords, lamps, copper mirrors, pottery, porcelain and ink-stones left behind from several dynasties. These are all of great importance for researching China's ancient military buildings and tactics and the military thought of Cao Cao.
★ Hua Zu Temple ★
Hua Zu Temple is to worship the famous medical expert Hua Tuo of East Han Dynasty. When he was alive, he read a lot medical books and saved the lives of many. 1600 years ago, he created "anesthetic" used in implementation of laparotomy surgery by wine. He also pioneered surgery and was the creator of "Five Animals" kongfu to improve health. He opened the field of medicine and it was with him that medicine took off. With excellent medical skills and work ethics, descendants viewed him as a miracle-working doctor. Hua Zu Temple begun construction during the Tang and Song Dynasty, and is made up of temples, old houses and medicine parks. Plenty of medical relics on display at this site and is also where Hua Tuo Memorial Hall is located.
★ Emperor Hiding Valley (Huangcangyu) ★
Located in the southeast of Xiaoxian county, with a total area of 31 square kilometers, it is a mountainous site combining history, culture and nature. Huangcangyu was once named Huangsang valley, because yellow mulberry trees can be found inside the valley. It is famous for being “queer, beautiful, dangerous” in the Huaihai touring circle with its steep cliffs, mountainous peaks, caves, and ancient verdant. Its major resorts are Imperial Hole, Ruiyun Temple, Sword Spring, Tianmen Temple and Drying Book Farm. On March 16 every year of lunar calendar, a big temple affair is held at Tianmen Temple.
Editor: Li Jing
