Anchang, an old town with the original feature

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
Author:

  Wang Buliu 

 

 

1. The Architecture in Anchang

The most representative architecture in Anchang is its well-preserved old streets built along the river, which can be traced to the Ming and Qing dynasties and extends 1,747 meters. A green river runs through the old town from the west to the east and the banks are linked by stone arch bridges with various shapes. The area south of the river is mainly for residences, while in the north lies the market with narrow streets. And by its side, not bordering the water, are traditional stores and workshops with many kinds of ancient craftsmanship still reserved and inherited. What makes Anchang more extraordinary is its vitality, in addition to its status as an old town. Though there are many old waterside towns in the southern Yangtze River area, one with such original flavor and atmosphere like Anchang is certainly extremely rare.

 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
A Small Bridge in Anchang.

 

There are many ancient stone bridges like this in Anchang, which is of primitive simplicity and elegance and is small and exquisite. Bridges of this kind amount to no less than 10 along its long street, extending 1.5 kilometers.

 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
A bridge which was named Sanban Bridge. 
 
 

The dignified ancient mansions and deep and serene alleys feature the rich flavor of waterside towns.

 

 Anchang, an old town with the original feature
An old alley  
 
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
 The Renchang Workshop for making and selling sauce and pickles.
 
 
 
2. Cured Delicacies in the Old Town of Anchang
 
The best time to visit Anchang is in December, when the thousands-year-old folk custom in Shaoxing is completely unfolded. After Dec 8 (in lunar calendar), the Spring Festival is approaching and every household begins their preparations for the festival. Every household will make sausages and hang the finished sausages on the front porch or window because they are a necessity for the New Year’s Eve dinner on the last day of a year symbolizing permanent reunion. I love to visit around Dec 24 when people are busy making pickled chicken and duck, sausages, dried fish, rice cake, zongzi (traditional Chinese rice-dumpling), malt sugar and etc. I love the folk life with original flavor there as well as its age-old and plain customs in a waterside region.
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature 
People are preparing for various kinds of cured delicacies. 
 
 
Sausages are the most famous featured product of the old town. They were originally made by local residents for eating during festivals; now they are bought by an increasing number of tourists to at back home, so many shops in the town are selling these products. Many sausages are filled and made on site with abundant ingredients for tourists. Foods like sausages and dried fish hang everywhere in front of houses and along the river.
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
Sausages in Anchang 
 
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
 Pickled duck
 
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
 Dried fish
 
 

 Anchang, an old town with the original feature
Famous alcohol - Nv'er Hong
 
 
 
The traditional malt sugar pulling. Skills are required for pulling the malt sugar and when it is pulled very long, the malt sugar can thus be tough enough for chewing and meanwhile the craftsmanship of the puller will be admired.
 

 Anchang, an old town with the original feature
Malt Sugar Pulling 
 
 
 
3. The Ancient Craftsmanship of the People in Anchang
 
Anchang is quite different from the other old towns I’ve ever visited. It is more original while less affected and showy than towns like Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang; It is unlike towns such as Maoyuan, which was specially developed for tourism and will charge whenever you take up your camera. Neither is it like the Old Town of Pantan, which is almost an empty town except for the working staff selling tickets and a few aged people enjoying the sunshine. Compared with these others, Anchang remains so vigorous and a part of my childhood life. It is such a fortunate thing that Anchang has kept well what is lost and gone in many other places. These types of craftsmanship are now rarely seen in the countryside of south Yangtze River regions.
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
Repairing shoes 
 
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature 
 Truss
 
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature 
 Traditional haircutting
 
 

 Anchang, an old town with the original feature
 Sugar making
 
 
 
4. Wupeng Boat (Black-Awning Boat) in the Waterside Town
Wupeng Boat (Black-awning boat) is a symbol for the waterside Shaoxing and Anchang is no exception. When sitting in a Wupeng boat like this one briskly passing the ancient stone bridge and the ports along the river, listening to the sound of the scull paddling in the water and watching the sparkling ripples in the water. Will you feel like slow times have come back?
 

Anchang, an old town with the original feature
 Wupeng Boat
 
 

 
Anchang, an old town with the original feature
  Wupeng Boat
 

Anchang is reclusive, serene and poetic. With its smooth, paved stones on the streets and its lucid and clear water, its peacefulness and simplicity seems reminiscent of our childhood life and may suddenly arouse the melancholy emotions of people. Meanwhile, Anchang is mundane and lively and people will always linger on due to its vitality and natural beauty of simplicity and primitiveness.
 
 
Anchang, an old town with the original feature

 

 

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