Ancient Zhangdu Village

Ancient Zhangdu Village

Ancient Zhangdu Village

Historically known as Qilin Ferry, Zhangdu Village has a history of over a thousand years. As early as the Tang Dynasty, a port and administrative district were established here, governing three counties. When the poet Li Bai traveled through Jing County, he praised Zhangdu as the “First Town West of the Mountains” in southern Anhui.

Surrounded by mountains to the northwest, and thanks to its geography of being nestled against the hills and facing the river, the ancient town enjoyed an exceptionally advantageous location. The Qingyi River was also the most bustling transportation route in Jing County at the time, making Zhangdu the second-largest commercial hub in ancient Jing County.

Unfortunately, as time passed, the former prosperity of the ancient town has long vanished with the river waters. It now lies in a thousand-year-old slumber, gradually declining and falling into decay.

The ancient town is home to numerous cultural relics, the most famous of which is a stilt-style architecture known as the “Thousand Legs of Jiangnan.” These are the “Hanging Pillar Pavilions” built along the Qingyi River, constructed in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties and boasting a history of over 300 years.

This uniquely characteristic ancient residential structure features tiled roofs and wooden planks, with shops in the front and residences in the back. Supported by wooden pillars suspended over the Qingyi River, the flowing river murmurs quietly beneath, exuding a strong charm of the Jiangnan water towns.

As this architectural complex stretches continuously for one to two li, with over a thousand wooden pillars used, it is called the “Thousand Legs of Jiangnan.” Since the main beams of the houses are supported by pillars suspended in mid-air, it is also referred to as the “Hanging Pillar Pavilion.”

These ancient dwellings are suspended above the Qingyi River, supported only by a few wooden pillars. After hundreds of years of wind and rain, they still stand firmly by the river. Except for a few pillars reinforced with new red bricks, most remain in their original state.

The old street of Zhangdu was built in the mid-Ming Dynasty and is the longest surviving old street in the ancient town. Backed by the beautiful Blue Mountain, as Li Bai wrote, “The blue cliffs tower like walls, jutting out sharply like a whale’s forehead.” The mountain is dotted with cliffside shrines that are still thriving with incense offerings, while at its base lie the rippling waters of Luoxing Pool and Anwu Ferry.

The Qing Dynasty poet Hong Liangji praised it in his poem “After the Rain, Ascending Blue Mountain from Luoxing Pool”: “After the rain, Blue Mountain shines anew; Waterfalls cascade down like dragons. A line of egrets leads the view; Hundred-foot pines cradle the way. Ancient thoughts feel lonesome and deep; Stone huts offer brief reprieve. Then comes the drizzle once again; The peaks ahead grow lush with green.”

Nearby the ancient town, there are also more than 100 Ming and Qing dynasty mansions and ancient residential buildings, including the “Residence of Generational Scholars,” “Residence of Dukes,” and “Wei Gong Shrine.”

Most residences in the ancient town feature exquisite Huizhou-style brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings, along with tall horse-head walls. The narrow, winding paths paved with bluish stones and pebbles, blended with the distinctive characteristics of ethnic minority stilt houses, make them stand out uniquely among Huizhou-style homes.

Zhangdu is an ancient market town, like an old man who has weathered many storms. The long river of time quietly flows through the stone slabs and pebbles of the old streets. The past glories have become fleeting memories, and today’s Zhangdu is largely deserted and empty.

Langchuan Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Chun’an County. After the founding of the People’s Republic, Langchuan, Fangwu, and Quanpu Townships were established, belonging to Suian County. In 1956, Fangwu and Quanpu merged into Shuangyuan Township. In 1958, Langchuan and Shuangyuan combined to form Langchuan Commune. In 1959, it was incorporated into Guocun Commune. In 1961, Langchuan and Shuangyuan Communes were re-established. In 1984, they were restructured as townships, and in 1992, they were merged into Langchuan Township. Located in the southwestern part of the county, it borders Anhui Province to the northwest, with the Dalian Ridge mountain range running through the entire territory. It is 45 kilometers from the county seat, covering an area of 105.1 square kilometers with a population of 20,000. The Fenzhi Highway runs through the township, providing convenient transportation. It administers Taoyuan, Zhanjia, Yangjia... More detailed information about Langchuan Township++