Liyang Ancient Town

Liyang Ancient Town

[Location] Liyang Town derives its name from Liyang Ancient Town. It is located on the western edge of Changjiang District, Jingdezhen City, bordering Nyuyishan Town to the east, neighboring Huanggang Town of Poyang County, Shangrao City to the south, connecting to Jinpingling Town of Poyang County to the west, and adjacent to Hongyuan Town of Fuliang County to the north. It serves as the western gateway to Jingdezhen City. The town covers a total area of 103 square kilometers, with jurisdiction over ten village committees, 65 villager groups, 78 natural villages, and a total population of 20,000.

[Historical Evolution] Liyang Town was historically known as Liyang Town and is located in the southwestern part of Changjiang District, Jingdezhen City. Historically, it was under the jurisdiction of Poyang County, Raozhou. A local saying goes, “Five hundred years ago it was Liyang Town, five hundred years later it’s Jingdezhen.” In ancient times, Liyang had an established town. Legend has it that Ying Bu, son-in-law of Fan Jun Wu Rui from the Qin and Han periods, built an earthen city here, which was later destroyed in war. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Liyang gradually developed into a bustling market town, with a “Market Supervisor” position established in the Song Dynasty. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Liyang Town was once occupied by Chen Youliang’s forces and served as one of the main battlefields between Chen’s army and Zhu Yuanzhang’s forces. In the early Ming Dynasty, the general Yu Guang captured Liyang Town, stationed troops here, and built a city “about five li in circumference.” Liyang Town has always been a strategic military location, referred to as the “thoroughfare for north-south military movements,” and suffered from warfare repeatedly during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In 1983, it was placed under the jurisdiction of Changjiang District, Jingdezhen City. In March 1987, Liyang Township was established; in December 2013, it was upgraded from a township to a town.

[Ancient Relics of the Town] Liyang Ancient Town preserves numerous historical and cultural relics, including the Liyang Ancient Kiln Site, the She Mountain Ancient Kiln Site (not yet excavated), ancient streets, ancient city structures, city wall ruins, ancient bridges, ancient temples, and academies. There is also the scenic spot of Guishan Temple.

Liyang Kiln Site: Located in Liyang Village, Liyang Town, Changjiang District, it consists of a Yuan Dynasty dragon kiln and a Ming Dynasty gourd-shaped kiln. In 2005, a joint archaeological team comprising the Palace Museum, the Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, and the Municipal Archaeology Research Institute conducted active excavations at the Liyang Kiln Site, unearthing a collection of celadon ware, including blue-and-white porcelain, Longquan-glazed imitation ware, Ge-kiln style imitation ware, and purple-gold glazed ware. The variety of vessel shapes is rich, with production dating from the Yuan to the Ming Dynasties. The excavation of this kiln site was ranked as one of the “Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries in China” in 2005. In March 2013, the Liyang Kiln Site was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Liyang Ancient Street: Located in the Liyang market town and adjacent to the Chang River, by the end of the last century, 300 meters of the old street still remained, with a width of about 4 meters, entirely paved with bluestone slabs. The Liyang Ancient Street has been bustling since ancient times. Even when the ancient town declined during the Qing Dynasty, the old street remained a trade hub for the surrounding areas within dozens of miles.

Ancient City Ruins: Discovered in 2005 during the excavation of the Liyang Ancient Kiln, approximately 100 meters from the kiln site, there is an ancient city wall segment about 3 meters long. Following this segment, experts found a discontinuous ring city wall around Liyang Village, stretching approximately 5–6 kilometers in total, with city gates in the four cardinal directions.

Pangguan Bridge: There are several ancient bridges in Liyang, among which Pangguan Bridge and Daoguan Bridge are the most famous. Pangguan Bridge, also known as Shangshi Bridge, is located at the lower end of the old street in Liyang, connecting the old road to Huanggang and Jinpingling of Poyang. The bridge is a stone arch structure, about 3 meters wide and over 10 meters long. Another bridge, leading from Nyuyishan to Jingdezhen, is called “Liyang Bridge.” Today, both bridges still stand proudly.

Liyang Temple Mountain: Dominating the banks of the Chang River, the mountain is lush with bamboo and wood, and dotted with grotesque rocks. It is named after the ancient temple that once stood here, known as Renyou Temple, also called Fayun Temple. During the Chunyou era of Emperor Lizong of the Southern Song Dynasty, Li Anchao, the Vice Minister of Dali, initiated the construction with local villagers. Within the Fayun Temple compound stands a Liuyun Pavilion, about which an ancient poet wrote: “High curtains face the long isle, each weather brings its charm. Rapids roar like jade pendants from the ninth heaven, the river pours down like thousands of yards of white silk.”

Dongshan Academy: Established in the Song Dynasty by Peng Ruzhi, a successful imperial examination candidate from Liyang. Peng Daya, a notable historical and cultural figure of the Southern Song Dynasty, once authored the “Record of Dongshan Academy” and composed poems for the academy. Today, the site remains at the foot of Liyang Temple Mountain.

[Historical Notables] Liyang Ancient Town has long been known as having “the most esteemed scholars in Rao Prefecture,” with a historically large population and many notable figures.

Peng Ruli (1041–1095), courtesy name Qizi, was the top imperial scholar in the second year of Emperor Yingzong’s Zhizheng era (1065) during the Northern Song Dynasty and a renowned statesman. He held positions such as Imperial Diarist, Vice Minister of Personnel, and eventually became the Acting Minister of Personnel, ending his career as the Chief Military Commissioner. He is recorded in the “History of Song.” He authored works such as “Meanings of the Book of Changes,” “Meanings of the Book of Songs,” and “Poyang Collection.” Peng Ruli was known for his bold speech. Both the court and the public admired him, saying: “We are not short of compliant officials now, but of those who dare to remonstrate; not of those who act bravely, but of those who speak out boldly.” In his final memorial, Peng Ruli wrote: “Our land is already abundant, may it be nurtured with benevolence; our wealth is not lacking, may it be managed with ritual propriety. Flatterers may seem pleasing at first, but their harm comes later; loyal advice may seem disagreeable at first, but its benefits are vast.” Su Dongpo praised him: “In the examinations, he surpassed all scholars; in daring to oppose authority, he displayed the spirit of ancient worthies.”

Peng Daya was a historical figure of the Southern Song Dynasty worthy of remembrance. His courtesy name was Ziweng. He became a Jinshi in the Dingchou year of Jiading (1217) during the Song Dynasty, serving as Chaojing Lang and as the Sichuan Military Governor concurrently managing the Jiameng Pass. In the fifth year of Shaoding (1232), when the Mongols sent envoys to discuss a joint attack on the Jin Dynasty, the Southern Song sent envoys to express gratitude, and Peng served as the document officer on the mission. He documented his firsthand experiences in “A Brief Account of the Black Tatars,” describing the Mongol founding, geography, products, language, customs, taxation, trade, official system, laws, and archery — detailed yet concise, making it a valuable resource for studying the early history of Mongolia. When Peng Daya served as the prefect of Chongqing, he oversaw the construction of the Chongqing city wall three times, with its layout and defenses significantly hindering the Mongol advance during the anti-Mongol wars.

Li Anzhao, a Jinshi in the thirteenth year of Jiading (1220), served as Vice Minister of Dali during the Chunyou era. In the year Jiyou (1249) of Chunyou, he governed Yuanzhou (present-day Yichun). His most significant contribution in life was overseeing the republication and “repair” of the monumental ancient Chinese bibliographic work “Junzhai Dushu Zhi.”

Li Tingrui (1250–1308), courtesy name Xiangzhong, art name Fangzhou, became a Jinshi in the seventh year of Xianchun of Emperor Duzong of the Southern Song Dynasty (1271) and was appointed as a Dijiu Lang. He served as a Judicial Assistant in Zhaoqing Prefecture. After the fall of the Song Dynasty, he lived in seclusion in the mountains for ten years, associating with Wu Cun, Xu Rui, and others. In the twenty-third year of Zhiyuan (1286) during the Yuan Dynasty, he temporarily took charge of local education. He served for five years and passed away in the first year of Zhide (1297) during the reign of Emperor Wuzong. He authored the “Fangzhou Collection” in three volumes, which is included in the “Poyang Five Families Collection” of the Qing Dynasty’s “Draft History.”

Yu You (1465–1528), courtesy name Ziji, was a disciple of the famous Ming Dynasty philosopher and educator Hu Juren. He became a Jinshi in the Hongzhi era (1499) of the Ming Dynasty. He served in various roles, including Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments in Nanjing, Deputy Commissioner of Shandong, and Commissioner of Yunnan. He devoted his life to the study of Neo-Confucianism and authored works such as “The Book of Human Nature,” “The Grand Teachings of Wen Gong for Governing the World,” and “The Supreme Discourse on the Arts.” He also compiled works for his teacher Hu Juren, such as “The Record of Practice” and “The Collection of Reverent Studio.” He is mentioned in the “History of Ming” as “his (Hu Juren’s) disciple Yu You being the most distinguished.” His deeds were later recorded in Huang Zongxi’s “Ming Confucian Case Studies.”

Shi Guifang (1518–1598), courtesy name Jingshi, art name Xingtang. He served as Magistrate of She County, Langzhong of the Ministry of Punishments in Nanjing, Prefect of Yanping, Prefect of Runing, and Transport Commissioner of Liangzhe. In his early years, he studied at the White Deer Grotto Academy and was an influential scholar, poet, and classical prose writer in the late Ming Dynasty. His record of Hu Run’s deeds, “Chronicles of Heroic Spirit,” was included in the “Complete Library of the Four Treasuries.” The “Xingtang Collection” is also cataloged in the “Complete Library of the Four Treasuries.” Shi Guifang’s great-grandson, Shi Jian (courtesy name Wenling), edited the “Poyang Five Families Collection,” a remarkable achievement in the cultural history of Poyang. This collection compiles works by five poets from Poyang from the late Song to the early Ming period.

[Tourist Scenery] Liyang Town boasts the Moon Lake Scenic Area, a national-level water conservancy scenic spot and the Jiangxi Provincial Water Sports Training Center. Located 5.6 kilometers from the urban area, it covers a water surface area of over 2,000 mu. The scenic water area winds along the mountains, shaped like a crescent moon, surrounded by hills and integrated with the landscape. Every year, a large number of wild birds inhabit and winter here.

[Customs and Culture] Liyang Town lies between the ancient Rao and Huizhou regions and retains a strong blend of Huizhou-Rao cultural customs. Many ancient customs and folk arts are still preserved. Among them, the Liyang “Beggar’s Lantern” has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage. The “Beggar’s Lantern” is a folk dance that originated in Liyang Ancient Town. It refers to performances by ancient famine victims begging from patrons. Passed down since the Ming Dynasty, it is now included in the Jingdezhen Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List.

Currently, the Liyang Town government and Liyang Village have raised over 1 million yuan to restore Liyang Ancient Town. Illegal constructions have been demolished, and the project is under construction. The cultural department of Changjiang District plans to excavate the She Mountain Kiln Site.

Liyang Town: In 2013, with the approval of the Jiangxi Provincial Government, Liyang Township of Changjiang District was restructured from a township into a town. The newly established Liyang Town retains the same jurisdictional area and government office location as the former Liyang Township.

Liyang Town is located on the western edge of Jingdezhen City, bordering Jinpingling Township and Huanggang Town of Poyang County, and Hongyuan Town of Fuliang County. It is a relatively young township established in 1987 by carving out 11 village committees from Nyuyishan Town, and it currently governs 13 administrative villages, 70 natural villages, with a total population of 15,600 and an area of 113 square kilometers.

Liyang Town has a long history and is rich in talent... More detailed information about Liyang Town++