Xinghua: A Watery Paradise to Welcome Spring With You
In the Jiangnan region, there's nothing much to offer, but I can send you a branch of spring.
This year, spring arrived later than usual!
After the panic of January, the lockdown of February, and the desolation of March, one after another continuous spring rains gradually dissolved the remnants of the harsh winter, awakening the graceful and bright charm of spring.
Among the four seasons, I have a particular fondness for spring. I always feel that this season carries hope and a kind of inexplicable restlessness as it sets out. So, in the cycle of the seasons, I quietly look forward to the arrival of spring.
Growing up in Jiangsu, my memory of spring there is always filled with layers of green mountains, winding rivers, and the brilliant rapeseed flower fields that can be seen everywhere. It's like a romantic, poetic, and enduring pastoral painting, deeply engraved in my mind.
Every late March to early April, Xinghua, a small city in Taizhou, begins to bustle. I had wanted to see rapeseed flowers every spring; for three consecutive years, I went to Wuyuan. Tired of the golden yellow under the black tiles and white walls, I happened to hear that there were also large rapeseed flower seas around Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Finally, at the end of March, I successfully invited friends to go to Xinghua, near Jiangsu and Zhejiang, to attend a spring festival.
Origin of Xinghua: A Cultural City
Xinghua was called Zhaoyang in ancient times, also known as Chushui. It is a famous historical and cultural city with a history of over 2,300 years. "Observing humanities, one can transform the world." Xinghua has always had a profound cultural accumulation, producing many talents, and is the hometown of famous figures like Shi Nai'an and Zheng Banqiao.
It is also a lively old city with a unique charm. Starting from the Bazi Bridge, walk all the way to the Sipailou, admiring various scholarly buildings. Occasionally, turn into the Jindongmen Old Street to see the most primitive old trades and hear the most original hawking sounds. It's leisurely and comfortable!
At the same time, it is also a spring flower city. Thousands of yellow flower mounds, tens of thousands of metasequoia trees, interspersed with fresh and romantic February orchids, intertwined among the three bends of clear waters. It's as if at every casual corner, you could get lost in a dreamy flower field: lift your eyes to romance, lower your brows to floral fragrance.
For foodies, it is also a food capital. Wake up early to enjoy a warm and delicate Huaiyang morning tea, taste the delicious dishes of the land of plenty at noon, and when night falls, go to the food street to find all kinds of fresh and sweet Huaiyang snacks. The mundane world's pleasures are no more than this~
DAY 1: Qianduo Rape Flower Scenic Area -- Lizhong Water Forest Park
DAY 2: Zheng Banqiao Former Residence — Shangchizhai Pharmacy — Jindongmen Old Street — Zhao Haixian Yanglou — Dongyue Temple — Xinghua Museum — Zheng Banqiao Memorial Hall — Shi Nai'an Memorial Hall — Li Garden — Sipailou — Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall
Accommodation recommendation: Xinghua Gengduo Homestay, Jinglan Yunduo Homestay near Dongluo Village, both close to Qianduo Rape Flower Scenic Area and Lizhong Water Forest Park.
Qianduo Rape Flowers: The Deepest Spring Feelings in March
The river has many bends of clear water, and every field has yellow flowers;
The deepest spring feelings in March, the fragrance from the flower sea beneath lowered brows.
The rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu, are located in Dongwang Village, Gangguxiang, Xinghua City, and are world-famous for the unique terraced fields in the form of thousands of islands. Together with the tulip flower sea in the Netherlands, the lavender flower sea in Provence, France, and the cherry blossom sea in Tokyo, Japan, they are known as the world's "Four Great Flower Seas."
It is said that because Xinghua is located in the hinterland of the Lixiahe area in central Jiangsu, the terrain is low, and with many rivers and lakes, it forms many low-lying areas. Therefore, the locals adapted to local conditions, dug ditches for drainage, piled up the mud into highlands, and planted crops on them, forming the unique terraced field landscape.
Every year around Qingming Festival, the "terraced fields" surrounded by water in the Qianduo Scenic Area are covered with golden rapeseed flowers, blooming in competition. Look into the distance; on the intertwined waterways, each rapeseed flower field looks like a golden island. A magnificent view of "rapeseed flowers bloom, covering the ground with gold," earning the reputation of "the country of ten thousand islands," which is breathtaking.
-- Boating on the Water --
Speaking of the best way to view it, it's by taking a cruise boat into the center of the flower fields, swaying among the maze-like rapeseed flowers, leisurely穿梭ing between the blooming "islands," and being up close in the flower sea.
On one side, the clear water of the water town; on the other, the blooming flowers everywhere. While feeling the gentle willow wind on your face, listening to the creaking sound of the boatman rowing, the tenderness of the water town and the endless rapeseed flowers make you unconsciously emotional. A gentle breeze blows, the flower branches sway, like ripples on a spring pond. A unique charm and romance of spring are unfolding on the Qianduo flower sea in Xinghua.
-- People Wandering Among Flowers --
After landing, the scenic area has thoughtfully built special wooden boardwalks and brick roads in the fields for tourists to view the rapeseed flowers up close. Wooden suspension bridges connect the boardwalks to the brick roads; you can walk all the way to the eastern end of the terraced field scenic area.
Strolling among the flowers, immersed in spring scenery, stopping and moving, feeling the intoxicating fragrance of rapeseed flowers brought by the wind. Before your eyes is a rolling golden flower sea, and in your heart, there are already countless ripples!
Ten thousand mu of gold rolling before your eyes, ten thousand mu of fragrance spreading in your heart, it's more like a ten-thousand-mu carpet, welcoming your footprints, his figure, and my heart.
-- Laughing in the Flower Sea --
Passing by locals, you can't help but overhear their soft dialect, smiling and greeting each other. Holding hands with girlfriends or friends among the flowers, leaving the most beautiful memories.
Yellow flowers blooming all over the fields, the spring scenery in the painting captured by the eyes. Passing through this brilliant rapeseed flower sea, quiet yet passionate, bright yet plain, with an indescribable charm. It feels like stepping into a dream that transcends time, leaving only a wisp of quietly drifting thoughts, circling between your eyebrows, waiting for your romance.
Thousands of golden flowers like clouds and rosy clouds, rushing vigorously to the horizon. Dressed in a white dress, strolling among the flower sea, no matter how you pose, you become a painting! With the gentle breeze of late spring, swaying gracefully, attracting bees and butterflies, intoxicating.
On this golden spread like brocade, either run a little or spin and dance, letting the soles of your shoes soak in the morning dew of the fields, letting your lapels and sleeves be stained with lingering fragrance.
Continue forward; this can be called the classic photography angle of Xinghua rapeseed flower sea. An elderly woman with a headscarf, holding a long pole, shuttles back and forth in the flower sea, satisfying the many photography enthusiasts on the bridge, haha.
If interested, you can negotiate with the woman to board the boat for photos, leaving your own exclusive local memories of Xinghua rapeseed flowers.
-- Shooting from the Observation Deck --
Not far from the south entrance of the scenic area, there is a watchtower with three floors and a diameter of about ten meters. It is the highest point in the scenic area and a great place for viewing and taking photos.
Climbing the observation deck to see the terraced rapeseed flowers from above feels like having a soft light filter from God's perspective. Golden flower fields float in the water piece by piece, cut into various irregular shapes. The blue sky, clear water, and golden islands weave the gorgeous picture of "the river has many bends of clear water, and every field has yellow flowers." Everywhere is full of vitality, quite spectacular.
Occasionally, a cruise boat enters the view, leisurely rowing with poles, swaying into everyone's heart. Click a photo, adding a bit of vitality to the whole flower sea graffiti.
Tips for Qianduo Scenic Area:
(1) Location: Dongshou Qianduo Scenic Area, Dongwang Village, Gangguxiang, Xinghua City, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province
(2) Transportation: Buses from Xinghua Bus Station go directly to the scenic area. Ticket price is about 6-7 RMB, travel time about 30-40 minutes.
(3) Opening hours: All day 08:00-17:00, last admission at 17:00
(4) Ticket: Regular ticket 100 RMB
(5) Others:
a. Parking fee: large car 20 RMB, small car 10 RMB
b. It is recommended to enter the scenic area before 9 AM, or stay in a farmhouse near the scenic area. When crowded, the observation deck is packed with people.
c. It is recommended to take a boat ride in the morning; there may be more people at noon or in the afternoon.
d. Outfit recommendation: Wear light-colored clothes such as white or gray, especially white, which matches well with yellow rapeseed flowers. For makeup, it is recommended to be fresh and elegant.
e. Photography tips:
- Portraits in flower sea: If the rapeseed flower sea is large, it is especially suitable for taking portrait photos immersed in the flower sea.
- Foreground with flowers: Use rapeseed flowers as the foreground to block obstacles, enhancing the photo.
- Use props: If possible, bring hats, balloons, cameras, umbrellas, etc., as props for shooting. You can also look down at rapeseed flowers, smell them, or look up at the sky.
- Focus on details: You can take full-body, half-body, or partial shots, such as picking flowers, smelling flowers, back view from the waist up, etc.
Lizhong Water Forest Park: A Real-Life Emerald City
If there is one scenic spot in Xinghua that is the most ethereal, it is definitely Lizhong Water Forest Park. This water forest hidden in Xinghua is called a real-life Emerald City.
Located 17 kilometers northwest of Xinghua City, Taizhou City, Lizhong Water Forest Park has a forest area of 1,050 mu and a timber volume of 12,500 cubic meters. It is a well-known natural oxygen bar.
This was originally a barren beach. In the 1980s, people developed it into terraced plots and planted more than 100,000 metasequoia and other trees. Now, these trees have grown tall and lush, forming a harmonious river wetland ecological landscape of "water, forest, birds, and fish." It enjoys the reputation of "Jiuzhaigou in Central Jiangsu, Bird Paradise in East China" and "Fragrant Fog Forest, Natural Oxygen Bar."
The park is planted with more than 100,000 trees of metasequoia and pond cypress, forming a tall, lush, and vibrant water garden. Locals say there are 108 tall metasequoias in the park, so it is named "Hero Forest" after the 108 heroes in the Water Margin. In addition, the park has an incredibly large variety of wild animals and is a paradise for migratory birds such as red-crowned cranes, black storks, owls, grey herons, egrets, etc.
Unfortunately, when we came, the metasequoia had not yet turned green, and the sight of them between green and yellow looked a bit bleak. But you may not know that it is the perfect time for February orchids to bloom. Walking deeper into the forest maze, along both sides of the waterways, rows of metasequoias are sprouting fresh green shoots, interspersed with purple flowers, looking especially fresh and elegant.
I strongly recommend bringing a hat when entering; it can block both rain and... birds' (droppings, you know). When I left, I only had a small beret that couldn't block wind or rain, so I bought a small bamboo hat at the entrance. Unexpectedly, it later actually rained, and the bamboo hat successfully became a rainproof tool and a prop for posing.
Following the guide forward, we arrived at the Fog Forest Wonderland. Deep in the forest, the oxygen bar with bird song. Walking into the misty forest, stepping on the lush green grass, under the tall metasequoias stretches gentle and lingering purple. Thin, gauze-like mist rises steamingly, transforming into charming scenery in the interwoven colors of light and shadow.
Stepping in wearing a white dress, breathing the pristine air of nature, accompanied by the sounds of various rare birds in the forest, strolling leisurely among the trees, it feels like being transported to Southeast Asia. Haloes, mist, and the enthusiastically blooming February orchids beside towering trees make it feel like accidentally stepping into a real-life Emerald City.
A distinctive activity in the forest is "raft drifting." Take a bamboo raft tour, slowly rowing through the channels among the dense forest,穿梭ing through the water forest, wandering through winding paths. Intertwining wetlands, forests, flowers, and flocks of birds appear alternately. "There is water in the forest, fish in the water, and birds in the forest," creating the artistic conception of a boat traveling in the river, people walking in a painting.
Perhaps due to the season, we didn't see many birds. After a rain, the water forest was less noisy but more peaceful! It had a unique serene taste, so I put on the bamboo hat and strolled among the trees. The lake light and tree colors, the spring atmosphere hitting, the air becoming fresh and sweet.
The ground was covered with February orchids, dotted with raindrops. The open forest seemed purer and bluer. Walking on the wooden path, my eyes were full of dreamy purple and pure white.
I had previously associated Vietnam with their conical hats. This time, because of the rain, I wore the bamboo hat, and my friend joked that I looked like a little Vietnamese girl. The white cotton long dress was oddly similar to an ao dai, so it felt like I had traveled to a tropical rainforest in Vietnam.
Tips for Water Forest Park:
(1) Location: Lizhong, Xinghua City, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province
(2) Transportation: Buses from Xinghua Bus Station heading to Lizhong direction. Ticket price is about 6-7 RMB, travel time about 30-40 minutes.
(3) Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
(4) Ticket: Regular ticket 90 RMB, including scenic area and bamboo raft
(5) Others:
The scenic area is suitable for visiting in spring and autumn. February orchids bloom from late March to late April, and redwood trees are visible from late November to late December.
Staying at Gengduo, the Spring of Bishui Dongluo
Since our one-day itinerary (Qianduo Rape Flowers and Water Forest) was near Bishui Dongluo, we simply stayed at the nearby Gengduo Homestay. We booked the homestay in advance, and the owner warmly gave us a lake-view room. Opening the door, we were greeted by a golden yellow.
Bishui Dongluo is a gathering place for water homestays in Xinghua, and the best homestay nearby is the Gengduo where we stayed. It is hidden on a small island on the north shore of Pingwang Lake, with two stone arch bridges on one side serving as the bond of time connecting to the village.
On the way from the lobby to the guest rooms, we always passed a country path. Willows with thick mist, clear water and yellow flowers, with countless layers of curtains reflected in the scenery. Scattered and orderly folk houses, the stream winding around the city, the simple and quiet water town families, as if in a wonderful dream of "sleeping with the sound of water by the pillow, waking up with ripples by the step." There is no hustle and bustle or worldly affairs here, only gentle calm and peaceful times~
Pushing the door open, the spacious and bright guest room, with unique home design, made our stay more comfortable. The natural wood-colored indoor furniture, natural and simple, with large floor-to-ceiling windows providing transparent views, fresh and warm; the overall decoration using local materials integrated the water town characteristics of Xinghua, adding a touch of rustic luxury to the room.
Lying on the soft and comfortable big white bed, warming a pot of tea, imagining seeing the picturesque mountain scenery through the drifting white gauze curtains, the paradise in dreams should be no more than this.
Food Recommendation: The Fresh Sweetness of Huaiyang Cuisine
Xinghua is a land of plenty, with numerous lakes and crisscrossing rivers, ensuring abundant aquatic products. Therefore, aquatic products are a local feature, and many dishes feature fish, shrimp, and crabs.
Recommended restaurants: Bishui Dongluo · Village Canteen, Zheng's Grand Kitchen, Water Fishing Village, Jiangbei Small Town, etc.
Zheng's Grand Kitchen is located opposite the historic former residence of Zheng Banqiao. Its overall design combines Banqiao culture with Xinghua's local cultural landscape, focusing on Banqiao culture, integrating scenery and food, complementing each other to form a unique and beautiful dining culture.
Since it was my first time in Xinghua, I casually asked about nearby food. The homestay owner's first recommendation was Zheng's Grand Kitchen. Thinking we would come here for morning tea the next day, we went ahead to try some dishes.
The fish and shrimp here are extremely delicate, smooth, and tender, yet still have a springy texture. When savored carefully, the freshness fills the lips and teeth.
To be honest, I rarely see a pot of hot broad bean soup served like this, but when tasted, the broad beans are fragrant, fresh, and tender, melting in the mouth.
Salt-braised goose is a must-order item for many and one of the representative dishes of Huaiyang cuisine. It is tender and refreshing, fatty but not greasy, with a light fragrance and unique flavor.
Boiled dried tofu threads, also known as chicken broth boiled dried tofu threads, is also one of the most classic Huaiyang dishes. It seems to appear in every meal. It is refreshing and appetizing, exceptionally delicious, and never tiresome.
Xinghua fish balls are usually made from grass carp meat into ping-pong ball-sized pieces. They are fresh, tender, and refreshing, warming the heart.
Malantou, a local green vegetable, is said to have the saying "eating malantou three times before Qingming prevents eye diseases." Its medicinal value is self-evident, and its nutritional value is also astonishing. Most intuitively, the special taste when made into a dish is mouthwatering.
Morning Tea Culture: Slow Life in a Water City
Speaking of Xinghua, one cannot avoid mentioning its morning tea culture.
In Guangdong, it's called having breakfast; in Taizhou, it's called eating morning tea; in Xinghua, it's simply called drinking tea. As dawn breaks, the whole small city becomes steaming hot. Find any teahouse, sit down, and let boiling water lift the tea leaves. The day's life begins as the leaves lazily unfold.
A plate of hot-scalded dried tofu threads, made from Xinghua's own tofu skin, cut as fine as hair, piled into a tower shape in the center of the plate; paired with a few slices of tender yellow sweet ginger, a handful of red, plump, fragrant peanuts; on top of the dried tofu threads, snow-like white sugar covers it, pleasing in color, aroma, and taste.
Although boiled dried tofu threads and hot-scalded dried tofu threads are both dried tofu threads, their flavors are very different. Dried tofu threads, black fungus, sweet shrimp, shredded carrots, etc., are mixed together and slowly simmered in thick soup. A bowl of thick-soup boiled dried tofu threads is ready. This is also a must-order item for many people when having morning tea.
The shaomai and buns here are super large. Shaomai are divided into fresh meat shaomai and pine nut shaomai. They are slightly sweet but very flavorful. There are more varieties of buns, including fresh meat buns, three-ingredient buns, five-ingredient buns, crab roe buns, etc., all with generous fillings and substantial!
Meatball with egg and vermicelli is said to be a favorite dish for entertaining guests in Xinghua. To be precise, it's not really a dish but is commonly seen in morning tea.
After eating and drinking our fill, patting our bellies, we left the morning tea shop and started the day's sightseeing in the city area.
The city area is not large, and the entire sightseeing route is relatively concentrated. You can visit all the spots one by one.
Zheng Banqiao Former Residence: A Big World in Bamboo Shadows
Because we had morning tea at Zheng's Grand Kitchen, we started the day's itinerary from the Banqiao Former Residence next to Zheng's Grand Kitchen.
Zheng Banqiao was from Xinghua, Jiangsu. His courtesy name was Kerou, his art name Li'an, also known as Banqiao. He was an important representative of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. In his early years, he was an honest and people-oriented official; later, he resigned and returned to his hometown, living in Yangzhou, making a living by selling paintings in his later years.
The former residence of Zheng Banqiao originally had three thatched rooms, later converted into tile-roofed houses, commonly known as "Zheng's Grand Hall." Facing south, with orchids and bamboos rustling, the courtyard is serene. Although not large, the courtyard still has many verdant and straight bamboos planted. Zheng Banqiao was said to be never happy without bamboos, and they can be seen everywhere in the residence. The whole residence looks very simple and rustic, with the artistic conception of a tranquil courtyard.
The most famous part of the courtyard is the small kitchen. It is said that the original small kitchen was larger than now; only a stove model remains. There is a couplet in the small kitchen: "Cabbage, green salt, and barley rice; earthen pot, rainwater, and chrysanthemum tea." This couplet was written by Banqiao to his friend Yuan Anshi, and it reflects Zheng Banqiao's indifference to fame and wealth and his simple, frugal life.
Inside the residence are displayed a bronze statue of Zheng Banqiao, reproductions of his calligraphy and paintings, and his daily utensils. According to locals, the museum has 1,181 pieces, including 33 original calligraphy and paintings by Zheng Banqiao, 348 calligraphy and paintings by Jin Nong, Min Zhen, Zheng Luan, Liu Xizai, and others, and 833 calligraphy and paintings by contemporary celebrities to commemorate Zheng Banqiao and Shi Nai'an.
Tips for Zheng Banqiao Memorial Hall:
(1) Location: No. 7-8 Zhengjia Lane, Dongcheng, Xinghua City, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province
(2) Opening hours: 08:00-17:30
(3) Ticket: 20 RMB
(4) Others: Small calligraphy and painting exhibitions are held irregularly in the residence. Interested friends can check by themselves.
Jindongmen Old Street: Small Life in the Bustling Depth
Jindongmen Old Street is located on the east side of the ancient city of Xinghua. It has a history of over a thousand years. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, due to commercial prosperity and daily profit, the area was named "Jindongmen" (Golden East Gate).
An ancient street district condensed with thousands of years of history and culture, composed of hundreds of shops and alleyways and star-like Ming and Qing ancient residential buildings. According to the guide, there are nearly 5,000 original residents here, with historical relics such as temples, mansions, memorial archways, former residences of celebrities, merchant mansions, ancient trees, and ancient wells.
Strolling in the old street, the old shops continue to this day, inheriting ancient Chinese culture. Various vendors selling bamboo products, shovels, spades, kettles, oil funnels, incense, candles, etc., stand sparsely on both sides of the street, enthusiastically hawking, watching the coming and going residents and tourists.
At the two ends of the old street, to the east is the Dongyue Temple built in the Ming Dynasty; to the west is the "cultural essence" Sipailou. Sites like Zheng Banqiao's former residence, Shangchizhai, Zhao Haixian Yanglou, and Yang's Courtyard are inlaid like stars. The more you walk, the more interesting it becomes.
If there is one most interesting attraction, it is the century-old pharmacy Shangchizhai.
It seems that every "old brand," old plaque, or old flavor carries a legend, and Shangchizhai is no exception. This is the most famous pharmacy in Xinghua, also a century-old brand of Xinghua. On the main street outside the east city of Zhaoyang Street, this Ming and Qing ancient building facing south is particularly dazzling.
Stepping inside, the shop's decoration is exquisite, blending Chinese and Western styles. The 200-square-meter shop floor is paved with imported colored glazed square bricks. The main and secondary counters are decorated with imported blue-and-white glazed square tiles. German mirrors, octagonal glass lamps, wood carvings, calligraphy plaques, etc., are all fine works.
To this day, "Shangchizhai" has been completely preserved in its original style. Full of gold plaques, tall black lacquered counters, an old traditional Chinese doctor taking pulses, a pharmacist calmly using a herb scale and grinding medicines with a medicine grinder, wooden drawers for storing and weighing medicines, medicine mortars, pestles, and everything in the pharmacy are well-preserved in their original form.
Looking up at the layout and decoration inside, you can still feel its past prosperity. Through the lattice of an old window, you can still smell the faint herbal fragrance of Shangchizhai pharmacy that has been passed down for a hundred years.
At the head of the alley, there is a stone archway across the street, inscribed with three vigorous characters "Zhuangyuan Fang" (Number One Scholar Archway). It was the place where Li Chunfang, the number one scholar of the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, lived in his early years.
Dongyue Temple, with a history of over 600 years, is a famous Taoist historical site in Xinghua city. It is also the only well-preserved Taoist site, and the best-preserved Ming Dynasty high-rise building in the small city.
Xinghua Museum: Left Zheng Banqiao, Right Shi Nai'an
Unlike general science museums, Xinghua Museum is a garden-style building imitating ancient architecture. It is connected to Li Garden in the east and to Xinghua County Office in the south. White walls, black tiles, horse-head walls, antique charm.
In the courtyard of the museum, a statue of Banqiao stands tall, with strange stones and bamboo groves. There is a pond with stones embedded along its edge, jagged and uneven, bamboo trees sparse, flowers fragrant. In front of the main gate, there is a square, in the center stands a four-cornered pavilion with double eaves and upturned eaves, namely Sipailou. The environment is serene and elegant.
This only national-level museum in Taizhou area has exhibition areas consisting of 6 permanent exhibitions and 2 temporary exhibition halls. The permanent exhibitions are: "Three Unique Talents - Zheng Banqiao," "Long Flow of Chu Water - Xinghua Simplified Historical Exhibition," "Shi Nai'an Cultural Relics Exhibition," "Xinghua Literary Museum," "Elegance of Great Men and the Motherland - Lv Houmin Photography Art Museum," and "Xinghua Contemporary Celebrities Achievements Exhibition."
[Three Unique Talents - Zheng Banqiao Exhibition Hall]
Zheng Banqiao was from Xinghua, Jiangsu, the leading figure of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou." The basic exhibition of this hall is called "Zheng Banqiao's Life and Artistic Achievements." He was unmatched in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. His phrase "It's hard to be muddled" expresses the philosophy of human feelings and worldly affairs.
In the exhibition hall, "Three Unique Talents - Zheng Banqiao" uses three chapters: "Life Achievements, Artistic Achievements, Far-reaching Influence" to show the origins of Zheng Banqiao's people-oriented thought and artistic thought and their influence on later generations.
[Shi Nai'an Memorial Hall]
It is said that Xinghua is the hometown of Banqiao and the cradle of Water Margin. This land, once called Zhaoyang, gave birth to Shi Nai'an, author of one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, Water Margin, and Zheng Banqiao, the head of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, both world-renowned literary masters and calligraphers and painters. Xinghua people are especially proud of these two sages and have always emulated them.
In Xinghua Museum, besides the Banqiao Memorial Hall, don't forget to visit the adjacent Shi Nai'an Memorial Hall. The Shi Nai'an Memorial Hall introduces Shi Nai'an's family background, his person, his creation of Water Margin, and Shi Nai'an's lasting influence in four chapters, explaining who Shi Nai'an was, where he was born, and the significant impact of the completion of Water Margin on later generations.
Tips for Xinghua Museum:
(1) Address: No. 2, Pailou North Road, Xinghua City
(2) Opening hours: 8:30-17:00. During the epidemic, morning: 08:30-11:30, afternoon: 14:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30). Closed on Mondays for thorough disinfection.
(3) How to get there:
- Take buses 2, 4, 10, or 19 and get off at Sipailou Station.
- Take buses 8, 9, or 16 and get off at Baziqiao Station.
Passing the bronze statue of Zheng Banqiao, turn into the small door facing east, and you'll reach Li Garden. Li Garden was originally the private garden of Li Xiaobo, a wealthy merchant in Yangzhou in the late Qing Dynasty. The overall layout is elegant, timeless, and classic, a masterpiece. Ancient trees and fragrant flowers are pleasant; delving deep, you can fully experience the charm of Jiangnan's ancient style.
The hall of Li Garden is shaped like a boat, hence called the Boat Hall. The boat hall has a unique and ingenious structure. It is said that it was once the temporary office of the Jiangsu National Government at that time. Han Deqin, then Deputy Commander of the Lusu War Zone, Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla, worked and held meetings here.
[Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall]
Going south from Li Garden, passing through a quiet path, you'll reach the renovated Xinghua County Office. This is also the location of the Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall.
Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall is located in the Song Dynasty County Office, Xinghua City, Taizhou. Completed in October 2006, it follows the architectural style of the Song Dynasty, with a courtyard-style hall layout, consisting of three halls, a corridor, and a room, covering an area of 600 square meters.
Fan Zhongyan, whose righteous spirit has lasted for a thousand years, practiced his lifelong ambition of being the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures throughout his life. In 2009, Xinghua city relocated and rebuilt the Song County Office, restoring the main gate, watchtower, ceremonial gate, main hall, side halls, and the plum ridge and plum pavilion built by Fan Zhongyan back then according to the principle of restoring the old as it was. In the side halls, the Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall was established, a hall with a bright mirror hanging high, known for his incorruptibility.
Tips for Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall:
Location: Song County Office, Xinghua City, Taizhou
After exiting, take a few steps to Xinghua's Sipailou. Sipailou is a four-door, four-column pavilion-style building with two layers of double eaves, eight upturned eaves, a top shaped like "five mountains facing the sky," and copper bells hanging around, appearing solemn, elegant, and unique. When you walk into the "Sipailou" pavilion, you realize the "mystery" hidden inside. Looking up, you can't help but exclaim. The top of the pavilion is layered with 47 plaques, reportedly erected to honor outstanding figures in Xinghua's history, extremely spectacular.
Although the saying "No winter lasts forever, no spring fails to arrive" is clichéd, I still couldn't help but sigh again. Approaching April, it is the time when the spring breeze greens the southern bank again, and a thousand varieties of red and purple are always spring. Although we are still in the darkness before dawn, when the morning sun rises, may the mountains and rivers be intact, may you and I be safe. After the epidemic, the spring scenery is brilliant, let's enjoy the beautiful scenery of Xinghua together~
Xinghua Related Tips
1. About Xinghua:
Ancient name: Zhaoyang, also known as Chushui. A county-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province, managed by Taizhou City. It has a rich historical and cultural heritage, long-standing. Xinghua gave birth to Shi Nai'an, author of one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, Water Margin, and Zheng Banqiao, the head of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, both world-renowned literary masters and calligraphers and painters. Deep cultural accumulation, many talents.
2. About Transportation:
Xinghua has no high-speed rail. The best way is to drive or take a bus.
(1) Plane: If flying from various places to Xinghua, you can first fly to Nanjing or Shanghai, both have buses to Xinghua, with many departures.
(2) Bus: Xinghua Bus Station
Get to Xinghua Bus Station, located in the new district of Xinghua. It is a certain distance from the city center's Haochi Street and Sipailou. There are buses to reach there, about 30-40 minutes by bus.
(3) High-speed rail: Take high-speed rail to Taizhou Station, then take a taxi directly to Qianduo or other scenic spots (1 hour, reference cost about 230 RMB).
3. About Expenses:
Accommodation in Xinghua costs about 200 RMB per day. Dining cost per person is about 40-50 RMB, and you can eat very well. Excluding major transportation, two days and one night, 550-650 RMB is enough to explore Xinghua. Costs will increase during peak season.
4. Other Tips:
The best time to visit Xinghua is within one month after Qingming Festival. This is a good time to enjoy rapeseed flowers. Of course, other seasons are also beautiful: summer for lotus, autumn for chrysanthemums, winter for snow.
5. About Food:
Xinghua cuisine has its distinct local characteristics. It is meticulously prepared, emphasizing stewing, braising, boiling, and baking, focusing on original soup and original flavor. The taste is light, sweet and salty balanced. Making full use of the abundant food ingredients from the water town, inheriting local food culture, integrating various influences, Xinghua cuisine is famous all over the world.
Xinghua's food is mainly concentrated on Haochi Street, and on both sides of Yingwu Road and Chang'an Road, the main roads of Banqiao Road. Recommended to everyone.
