Discovering the Ancient City Through Its Scents
Sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water; subtle fragrance floats in the moonlit dusk. The gusts of fragrance carried on the wind silently weave a veil of hazy enchantment around the heart.
If sight and hearing capture attention with vivid colors and stirring sounds, then the sense of smell quietly wins the heart through a lingering and subtle atmosphere, allowing one to perceive the world through scent without even realizing it.
As everyone knows, Yandu Ancient City is surrounded by natural beauty and humanistic aesthetics. Many come in admiration to enjoy the natural splendor of charming waters and majestic mountains, blooming flowers and lush foliage, and to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of white walls with dark tiles and ornate pavilions. They might think this is all the ancient city has to offer, but that is not the case.
Not to mention the intangible heritage and profound cultural depth, the ‘fragrance’ of Yandu Ancient City is another hidden splendor that many have not noticed.
The richest scent in the ancient city is perhaps the fragrance of flowers. At the start of the new year, spring is not yet apparent, but a faint, elusive sweetness steals into the nose amid the chilly wind, stirring the heart and sparking romantic thoughts of the promising days ahead.
As spring reaches its peak, the fragrance grows stronger, filling the streets and alleys with richness. Unwittingly, one carries away the tender season's gift on one's clothes.
When the lanterns of the ancient city light up one after another, they become a culinary guide. No one can resist the aromas rising from the cooking fires.
The sizzling oil of grilled skewers, the toasty aroma of baked flatbreads, plus the spice of chili powder and pepper awakened by flame – even before seeing the food, you can almost visualize hot oil dripping along the texture of the meat, the crispy crust golden and savory, making your mouth water and your appetite surge.
While the first two fragrances can be enjoyed through the sense of smell, the third must be savored with the heart.
On the second floor of the Babai Tower, a century-old newspaper archive treasures papers from times gone by. The scent of ink lingers, its fragrance slowly seeping into the heart through passages of text and photos, bringing past days and the weight of history back to life before the eyes of visitors.
Fragrance is a gift to the sense of smell. Through scent, one can exchange it for a splendid dream. In every era, Yandu Ancient City hides a distinct style of fragrance for people to seek out and savor.
