Taizhou Peach Garden: A Surprising Discovery
October 6, the second day of my three-day trip to Taizhou. Around 6 am, I pushed open the window and saw the sunrise! The third-floor buffet breakfast had many varieties, but there was no chef frying fresh poached eggs or boiling noodles on the spot. After eating, I went downstairs with Mr. Wang, firstly to 'test the temperature', and secondly to enjoy the scenery. Yesterday, we entered the hotel in the dark; today I looked up and saw its name: 'Zhixuan Jiani Hotel'. The surroundings can be described in four words: a wilderness outskirts.
Taizhou tourism is centered on 'Qinhu Wetland'. Apart from this, are there other scenic spots? Yes! Qinhu has Eight Delicacies, and it is said that Taizhou has Eight Scenic Spots. One of them is Taoyuan.
Taoyuan boasts over 3,600 peach trees of 116 varieties, making it the most comprehensive park in China for viewing peach blossoms. Unfortunately, we came at the wrong time.
On this clear early autumn morning, a group of tourists entered Taoyuan, walking slowly, viewing the scenery, chatting, taking photos... Coming from the high-rise buildings and Shikumen of Shanghai to this garden, everyone walked briskly with smiles on their faces.
Taoyuan has a tall tower named 'Qingfeng Tower', which is the highest point in the garden. Unfortunately, we wanted to climb it but couldn't.
Arriving at the Nancheng River, we saw a stone boat. The boat canopy and pavilion on it were exquisitely made. On the shore, there was a stepped viewing platform. I was wondering: why such a platform? Just then, there was an information sign next to it, with an old photo of the stone boat and text explanation:
According to historical records, it was designed based on a surviving painting of Kong Shangren watching opera from a boat pavilion... The first performance after the completion of 'The Peach Blossom Fan' was held right here, with music composed and performed by the Yu family women's Kunqu troupe.
Oh, I suddenly understood! So this stone boat was the 'Watching Opera from Boat' scenic spot. Suddenly a thought struck me: after entering Taoyuan, I had seen on a road sign that there is a 'Kong Shangren Former Residence' in the garden!
When I was in high school, I watched the film 'The Peach Blossom Fan'. The impression is unforgettable. It is a legendary play written by the Qing dynasty literary figure Kong Shangren, telling a story of Nanjing at the end of the Ming dynasty. With the joys and sorrows of Hou Fangyu and Li Xiangjun as the main thread, it presents the social reality of Nanjing at the end of the Ming dynasty and the pain of the Ming loyalists over the fall of their country. Our Chinese teacher told us: the film is a historical drama close to historical truth. Since its premiere over three hundred years ago, it has been performed continuously...
Guide Wang pointed across the river from the stone boat and said: 'That is Taizhou's famous Wanghai Tower, one of the spots on today's itinerary.'
I asked: 'Is Kong Shangren's former residence right inside the garden?'
Guide Wang replied: 'Yes, but I won't take you in. Because most people aren't interested.'
'We'll go!'
'Alright. After you come out, I'll wait for you at the entrance of the Old Street!'
'OK!'
