Courtyard Houses in Yandu Ancient City (3)

Wandering through the courtyard homes in the second phase of Yandu Ancient City, I gradually found myself sinking into a sanctuary of architectural art brimming with humanistic charm. In a daze, I felt as if I had stepped into that era when 'the emperor guards the nation's gates, the sovereign dies for the altars of state,' the era that for centuries held up the backbone of the Chinese people. This era established the fundamental lines of architectural cultural development, allowing later generations to add their own contributions, culminating in the Forbidden City—masterpiece that astounds past and present and is renowned worldwide. The Forbidden City is the pinnacle of Chinese architectural culture and art, a culture that was born from folk architectural artistry and then, with the entire nation's effort, pursued exquisite perfection, radiating an unmatched grace and aesthetic ideal of Chinese civilization.

The courtyard homes in Yandu Ancient City's second phase draw on the aesthetic art of the Forbidden City's architecture, employing identical color schemes and partial structural forms, endowing these residences with an imperial-level taste. How fortunate we are to live in an open and inclusive era, where the notion of 'exceeding the proper bounds' has vanished. Otherwise, how could swallows that once nested before the halls of the Wang and Xie clans have flown into the homes of ordinary folk? Not to mention living inside, you'd even need a ticket just to visit.

Strolling aimlessly along the flagstone lanes among the courtyard houses, I soon found myself by the broad Yishui River. Looking up, I saw a building in the style of a traditional fang archway standing by the riverbank. Upon asking a construction worker, I learned that it is an ancient music hall, where traditional musical performances will be staged in future. Indeed, there are people of insight dedicated to excavating, preserving, and promoting traditional and intangible cultural heritage—a mission felt by every descendant of the Chinese nation. This truly embodies the spirit of 'to serve the wider world when one reaches prominence.' These are people with vision and aspiration, and they deserve applause and acclaim.