Hexia Ancient Town

Hexia Ancient Town

Hexia Ancient Town is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Hexia Ancient Town is located in the northwest corner of Huai'an District, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, at the ancient Mokou where the ancient Han Canal meets the Huai River. Formerly known as Beichen Town, it is one of the core protected areas of the historic and cultural city of Huai'an. This place gave birth to historical figures such as the heroine Lady Liang Hongyu and the great literary writer Wu Cheng'en. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it produced 67 Jinshi, 123 Juren, and 12 Hanlin scholars, earning the reputation of "hometown of Jinshi" and boasting profound cultural heritage.

Introduction to the Ancient Town

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Hexia was a distribution hub for Huabei salt, with the Huabei Salt Transport Office stationed here and many salt merchants operating their businesses. At the same time, due to the...

Millennium Ancient Town Hexia

The Jiangnan Shipyard was located in Qingjiangpu, making Hexia also a supporting processing base for canal boat parts.

Thriving because of the canal and declining because of the canal. In its heyday, Hexia Ancient Town was praised as having "the thousand-year prosperity of Yangzhou relocated to the head of Xihu Zui." In China's canal economy era, Huai'an, along with Yangzhou, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, became models of urban prosperity and were collectively known as "Huai-Yang-Su-Hang." As a transportation hub connecting southern boats and northern horses, Huai'an flourished for a time. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, due to the relocation of the Huabei salt distribution center to Xiba in Wangjiaying and the shift from river to sea transport for grain tribute, Hexia gradually declined. The ancient town is now a key national cultural relic protection unit as part of the Grand Canal heritage.

History of the Ancient Town

Hexia has a history of over 2,500 years. In 486 BC, King Fuchai of Wu dug the...

Hexia

Han Canal, which connected the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, met the Huai River at Hexia (then called Mokou) north of Huai'an City to facilitate the transport of troops and provisions northward. In 605 AD, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty dug the Grand Canal (then called Shanyangdu), linking the waterways between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers. After Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty (955–960) conquered the Southern Tang, he built the Manpu Pass here to connect water routes. Dams and locks were later constructed, and the locks were eventually converted into dams. During the Song Dynasty's Longxing period (1163–1164), Wei Sheng fought the Jin people and mobilized troops and supplies from here. Han Shizhong and Lady Liang Hongyu once stationed troops here to resist the Jin army. In the Yuan Dynasty, the Confucian school of Shanyang County was located in Hexia, and it was not moved into the county town until the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, the court specially appointed a Salt Transport Commissioner to reside in Hexia, Huai'an, overseeing salt administration and inspecting various salt fields. All Huai salt produced along the coast was transported to Hexia, inspected and taxed there, and then distributed for sale elsewhere. Hexia was an important commercial port in Huai'an.

Cultural Heritage of the Ancient Town

Hexia has several specialized local chronicles, including the 16-volume "Hexia Zhi." According to the "Hexia...

Former Residence of Wu Cheng'en

Zhi," there were once 108 streets and alleys, 44 bridges, 102 gardens, 63 memorial archways, and 55 ancestral temples in Hexia. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the mansions of wealthy merchants rivaled the gardens of Yangzhou salt merchants. Notable historical sites include the Zhuangyuan Tower, Kuixing Tower, and the Former Residence of Wu Cheng'en, as well as a number of well-preserved residences of famous figures. The tomb of Zuo Baogui from the Qing Dynasty is also located in Hexia. Every street and bridge in Hexia has rich legends, making it the most culturally profound ancient town in China. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Hexia produced 55 Jinshi, including one Zhuangyuan (top imperial examination scholar), two Bangyan (second-place scholars), and one Tanhua (third-place scholar), completing the "Three Dings Jia." It also produced over 100 Juren and five scholars of broad learning. In terms of official positions, some served as Hanlin scholars, vice ministers, ministers, imperial chefs, imperial household department officials, and even as imperial tutors, with many being influential figures of their time.

Hexia has had notable figures throughout its history: military strategist Han Xin and literary father-and-son duo Mei Sheng and Mei Gao during the Qin and Han dynasties; poet Zhao Gu during the Tang Dynasty; heroine Liang Hongyu who resisted the Jin during the Song Dynasty; literary writer and "Journey to the West" author Wu Cheng'en, as well as anti-Wokou Zhuangyuan Shen Kun during the Ming Dynasty; and during the Qing Dynasty, textual research master Yan Ruoqu, scholar Wu Yu, renowned Hanlin scholar Cheng Jinfang, epidemiologist Wu Jutong, mathematician Luo Tengfeng, author of the long pingtan "Bi Sheng Hua" Qiu Xinru, Go master Liang Weijin, and Dao Guang Emperor’s tutor and Minister of Rites and Censorate official Wang Tingzhen.

During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, large numbers of merchants from Shanxi, Shaanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Fujian came to Huai'an to engage in the salt trade and gradually settled there. By the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods, business was thriving, and merchants were increasing. To foster local ties and compete commercially, they established many guildhalls. The Xin'an Guildhall was located at the Tongshan Hall of the Zhou Xuanlingwang Temple (now the site of the former Xin'an Primary School), the Fujian Guildhall at the Fujian Nunnery (now north of Lotus New Village), the Zhenjiang Guildhall at the North Corner Tower (still extant), the Shanxi Dingyang Guildhall in Zhuxiang Lane, the Ningbo-based Siming Guildhall on Huzuigui Street, the Jiangning Guildhall on Zhongjie (still extant), and the Jiangxi Guildhall by the canal outside the West Gate. In the northern Yao Gully area of Hexia, residents specialized in salt transport when the salt trade was booming. According to the "Shanyang County Annals" from the Qianlong reign, "There were no fewer than several thousand working households, stretching twenty li from east to west."

Hexia Ancient Town

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this place produced 67 Jinshi, 123 Juren, and 12 Hanlin scholars, earning the reputation of "hometown of Jinshi" and boasting profound cultural heritage. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Hexia was a distribution hub for Huabei salt, with the Huabei Salt Transport Office stationed here and many salt merchants operating their businesses. At the same time, due to the Qingjiang Governor's Shipyard being located in Qingjiangpu, Hexia was also a supporting processing base for canal boat parts. Hexia is a typical thousand-year-old ancient town that thrived because of the canal and declined because of the canal. In its heyday, it was praised as having "the thousand-year prosperity of Yangzhou relocated to the head of Xihu Zui." By the end of the Qing Dynasty, due to the relocation of the Huabei salt distribution center to Xiba in Wangjiaying and the shift from river to sea transport for grain tribute, Hexia gradually declined. The ancient town is now a key national cultural relic protection unit as part of the Grand Canal heritage.

Due to its long history and central position in north-south exchanges, it has developed a unique food culture and is one of the important birthplaces of Huaiyang cuisine, such as the crab roe soup dumplings at Wenlou and the Eel Banquet.

Features of the Ancient Town

Hexia has five major features: a cultural hub, a military stronghold, a salt merchant center, a hub of traditional Chinese medicine (birthplace of Shanyang Medicine), and a culinary destination (birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine). It is recommended that relevant departments develop the scenic spots around these five aspects.

Hexia Ancient Town

1. Cultural Hub: Hexia has built the Former Residence of Wu Cheng'en and the Monkey King Family Exhibition Hall, and plans to construct the Zhuangyuan Tower. The author suggests establishing a "Hexia Jinshi Exhibition Hall" in Hexia, which would be the first of its kind in China if completed, highlighting Hexia as the top Jinshi-producing town in the nation.

2. Military Stronghold: The Han Xin Fishing Platform, Piaomu Shrine, and the Tomb of Zuo Baogui have been built. Plans are in place to restore the Zhuangyuan Tower, the Liang Hongyu Shrine and Park, the Zuo Baogui Ancestral Hall, and Chenggong Bridge. The author also suggests constructing the Erdi Pavilion, the Shihexiang Bridge (proposed to divert water from the east of the Hexia Ancient Town Archway and Shihexiang to the east entrance of the Stationery Factory into the moat, with the Shihexiang Bridge built directly opposite the Erdi Pavilion), the Cave of Hidden Soldiers ruins, the West Gate City Wall ruins of the new city, and the former residence of Ma Chang’an (grandfather of Ma Jizong).

3. Salt Merchant Hub: The "Two Huai Salt Approval Office" has been built, and plans are to restore Chenggong Bridge. The author also recommends reviving the "Yin Family Wharf," "Songzhu Thatched Cottage," the Wang Family Compound, and other guildhall ruins, showcasing the status of Hexia salt merchants during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

4. Traditional Chinese Medicine Hub (Birthplace of Shanyang Medicine): The Wu Jutong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hall has been completed, and the Xu Family Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancestral Home has been designated for protection. If a "Shanyang Medicine Exhibition Hall" and a "Hexia Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Figures Exhibition Room" could be built in the Wu Jutong Memorial Hall, along with traditional Chinese medicine clinics and pharmacies on both sides of the gate, and protection provided for the Wang Family Compound (former home of Wang Xiaochuan), Zhang Xianghou’s Ancestral Home, Tan Jian’an’s Ancestral Home, and Ma Jizong’s Ancestral Home, it would be even more distinctive.

5. A Foodie Haven (the Birthplace of Huaiyang Cuisine): Hexia is the foremost town of renowned Huaiyang dishes. Historically, it has been a prosperous consumer town with many wealthy residents and discerning diners. As a result, master chefs invented a variety of dishes to cater to their refined tastes. Examples include Wenlou Crab Roe Soup Dumplings, Wenlou Steamed Egg, Yanle’s Eel Banquet, and Yulan Slices from Zhuanxianglou in Hexia. Among these, the Eel Banquet features an astonishing 108 different dishes, earning fame both domestically and abroad. In recent years, Wenlou has undergone restoration and expansion. The author suggests building a “Huaiyang Cuisine Exhibition Hall” next to Wenlou, and establishing a specialized restaurant on Huzu Street, Chaxiang Street, or Guyi Street that serves Hexia’s most famous “Eel Banquet.” It is also recommended to open more local specialty snacks to attract both local diners and visitors eager to sample Huai’an’s distinctive foods.

Address: No. 125 Guyi Street, Hexia, Huai’an Town, Huai’an District, Huai’an City, Jiangsu Province

Type: Ancient Town / Village

Rating: AAAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: About 2 hours

Phone: 0517-85983918; 0517-85970080

Official Website: http://zel.huaian.gov.cn/index1.html

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Free admission.