Humanistic craftsmanship—an architectural epic frozen in stone-paved streets
The core soul of Longtan Ancient Town lies in its Ming and Qing dynasty architectural complex,polished smooth by time,a veritable"living"architectural museum.
Ancient Stone-paved Street:The town's central axis stretches 3 kilometers,from Suozi Bridge in the south to Youyang No.1 Middle School in the north.The street is 5 to 8 meters wide and entirely paved with large bluestone slabs.Centuries of footsteps and horse traffic have worn the slabs until they are smooth and lustrous,a jade-like sheen.Walking on them,one can feel the subtle tactile sensation of history beneath one's feet.After the rain,the stone slabs gleamed,revealing glimpses of ancient marine fossils—relics left to us by marine life millions of years ago.
Firewalls and Courtyard Houses:The ancient town boasts over 150 firewalls built of firebricks,some reaching heights of ten to twenty meters.These imposing walls divide the ancient street into over 200 quiet courtyard houses.The architectural layout varies from"three pillars and four beams"to"three pillars and six beams"and finally to"four-sided courtyards,"reflecting the status of the owner.Wealthy families often had grand,ancient gates made of bluestone pillars,and inside was a"central hall"used for ancestral worship,welcoming guests,and holding important events like weddings and funerals.The ground floor facing the street featured wooden or brick counters,traditionally used by merchants to sell their goods;traces of the salt shops,silk shops,lacquer shops,and herbal medicine shops can still be seen today.
The Wang Family Compound and the Wu Family Compound:The Wang Family Compound,divided into east and west courtyards,is located on the banks of the Jiuqiao Creek and is the former residence of Wang Jianhong,wife of Qu Qiubai.The compound features ancient streets,deep courtyards,and a well hidden by trees.Wang Boshan,the head of the Wang family,once served as Sun Yat-sen's secretary,and statues of him and Sun Yat-sen and his wife stand in Zhongshan Park on the banks of the Meishu River.The Wu Family Compound represents the highest achievement in spatial art of ancient residences in Longtan,with its exquisite carvings on the upturned eaves,windows,and lintels captivating visitors.
Wanshou Palace(Jiangxi Guild Hall):Built in the 18th year of the Daoguang Emperor's reign(1838),the building covers an area of2400 square meters and consists of three courtyards:Shangqing Hall,Yuqing Hall,and Taiqing Hall.Its architectural structure is basically the same as the rear palace of the Summer Palace in Beijing,with doors not facing each other,two walls acting as screens,and the dragon throne in the central hall echoing the opera stage.Stepping onto the platform,the first thing that catches the eye is a large wooden stage with upturned eaves,painted beams,and carved pillars.In the past,the Jiangxi merchants entertained guests and performed plays to appease the gods here.The palace once bore inscriptions by famous figures such as Wang Xizhi,Su Dongpo,and Huang Tingjian,bearing witness to the flourishing culture of the merchant guilds.Adjacent to it are the Yuwang Palace(Hunan Guild Hall),Wenchang Palace,Xuanyuan Palace,and Tianhou Palace,collectively forming landmarks of the ancient town's diverse guild hall culture.
The Memorial Monument to the Martyrs of the War of Resistance Against Japan:Located next to Wanshou Palace,this monument commemorates the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the War of Resistance Against Japan.This silent monument tells the story of Longtan's role as a rear area during the war,reminding visitors that this place was not only a hub of commerce but also a place of national responsibility.
Architectural Detail Tip:Strolling along the old cobblestone streets,pay attention to the occasional marine fossils exposed on the stones—a unique"geological textbook"of the ancient town.
Celebrities and Culture—Literary and Revolutionary Imprints Sedimented Through Time
Longtan Ancient Town is a place of outstanding people and rich cultural heritage.The stories of celebrities and the town itself form another unique landscape.
Zhao Shiyan's Former Residence and Zhao Village:This is the birthplace of Zhao Shiyan,an outstanding early proletarian revolutionary of the Communist Party of China,a disseminator of Marxism,and a leader of the workers'movement.Built in 1902,the residence is a Qing Dynasty brick-and-wood courtyard house,facing south,with 32 rooms covering an area of1605 square meters.The plaque above the eight-character-shaped main gate,inscribed"Comrade Zhao Shiyan's Former Residence,"was personally written by Comrade Deng Xiaoping.The courtyard is divided into the former residence,an exhibition hall,and a memorial plaza,displaying photos of the martyr's life,his handwritten manuscripts,and revolutionary relics donated by Zhu Lin,wife of Comrade Li Peng.On July 19,1927,Zhao Shiyan,only 26 years old,heroically sacrificed his life near Fenglin Bridge in Shanghai,ending his short but brilliant life.In the memorial square,a white marble bust stands silently among the pines and cypresses,silently testifying to the undying aspirations of"Shi Ying"(Zhao Shiyan's pen name).
Longtan as depicted by Shen Congwen:In the 1920s,the renowned writer Shen Congwen lived in Longtan.The town's quaint streets and alleys,the tranquil flow of the Meishu River,and the story of the eccentric"female bandit leader"Wang Yaomei were all incorporated into his works,allowing Longtan to reach a wider audience through his words.
The former residences of Ding Ling and Wang Jianhong:The famous female writer Ding Ling described the quaint Longtan Middle School in her writing,and her deep friendship with her close friend Wang Jianhong(Qu Qiubai's wife)was also closely linked to this land.Wang Jianhong's former residence is located in the Wang Family Compound.She dedicated her life to promoting scientific socialism and women's liberation,and is an indispensable name in the early history of the Chinese Communist Party's women's movement.
Tian Han's Seven-Character Quatrain:When the renowned playwright Tian Han departed Longtan,he penned the timeless lines:"The solitary pagoda of Youyang hides in the mountain mists,a giant rock reaching the sky,impossible to fathom;I hear the carp are over a foot and a half long,when will I take up my fishing rod in Longtan?"This poem adds a poetic touch to the ancient town.
Natural Scenery–The Pulse of the Meishu River and the Rhythm of Ancient Bridges
If architecture is the skeleton of Longtan,then the Meishu River is its lifeblood.
The Scenery of the Meishu River and Longtan River:Since ancient times,the Meishu River has been a major thoroughfare connecting the You River to the Yuan River and leading to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.Without this river,there would be no legendary commercial success story of"Goods Longtan."Strolling along the river,one can see ancient wharves,wells,and bridges unfolding one after another.The ancient town is known for its"bridges upon bridges,alleys upon alleys,houses on the river,trees upon trees,"with the stilted houses reflected in the water,creating a breathtaking scene at dawn and dusk.The ancient town preserves well-maintained ancient bridges such as Dazhong Bridge,Bohai Bridge,and Longtou Bridge,as well as ancient wells like Bagua Well,Longquan Well,and Wangjia Well.Numerous wharves,large and small,are scattered along the riverbanks,bearing witness to the bustling activity of boats in the past.
Ancient Wharves and Roads:The inscriptions on the large wharf,small wharf,and Chenjia wharf are still well-preserved.The wharf steps extend into the water,witnessing countless cargo ships docking and unloading here.The ancient Sichuan salt road is engraved with the footprints of salt merchants'caravans,the most authentic evidence of Longtan's status as a major commercial town.
Surrounding Natural Scenic Spots:The area surrounding Longtan is also dotted with natural landscapes such as Sunyan Grand Canyon,Huanglong Shangtan,Mao'er Zhentan,Xianren Guabang,Lanshe Xiashan,Luohan Rock Statue,Erlong Gunjiang,Jiuqiaoxi Fan,and Longdongbao Mountain.With its verdant mountains and deep valleys,it is an excellent destination for hiking and exploration.
