South Street in Binyang

South Street in Binyang

To the north of Binyang County lies an ancient and mysterious street. Since it is located to the south of the old county town, locals call it "South Street," and because the street is particularly long, it is also known as "Five-Li Street."

South Street has a long history. It was initially constructed during the Yuan Dynasty and completed in the Ming Dynasty. During the Yuan Dynasty, as the Jurchens invaded from the south, people from Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi sought refuge from the turmoil and were attracted by Binyang’s commercial prospects, gathering here to set up shops, thus forming the early layout of South Street. In the sixth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1373), Magistrate Zhou Le initiated the construction of a bridge (now known as South Bridge) to the north of the street, providing direct access to the county seat and facilitating travel, which led to further expansion of the street. The name "South Bridge" likely comes from its location just outside the southern gate of Binyang County; as the southern gate was also called Taiping Gate, the bridge is also referred to as Taiping Bridge. Some say it was named to reflect the peaceful and prosperous times. In the seventh year of the Yongle reign (1409), the South Market was expanded. From the Qing Dynasty to the Republican era, merchants flocked to the area, trade flourished, and South Street continued to expand, eventually taking on its current scale.

South Street resembles a dragon, with its various shop sections like the segments of its body, winding from north to south. Hundreds of shops line both sides of the street, stretching as far as the eye can see. Strolling along the narrow ancient street, paved with blue bricks and stone slabs, you’ll see rows of densely packed houses, towering carved pillars, and eaves that seem ready to take flight. Exquisitely carved stone plinths and drums are found everywhere. Window lattices and fences feature delicate patterns, simple yet elegant. The attic towers and hanging rooms retain an antique charm. Walking through South Street, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into the bustling market scene of the ancient town depicted in the “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.” Not only do the residential buildings along the street exude an old-world elegance, but its temples and memorial archways are also notable features. Key temples and archways on South Street include the City God Temple, Flower Goddess Temple, Erpu Temple, Lingying Shrine, Tianhou Palace, as well as the feudal-era styled Juying Archway and Jiexiao Archway. At the southern end of South Street stand two ancient banyan trees with foliage that forms a dense canopy. Next to the trees once stood a pavilion called "Baisha Tower." Built during the Ming Dynasty, it was one of Binyang’s renowned structures. The two-story tower had inner and outer arched gates on the lower level, with stairs beside the gates. Climbing the stairs offered a view of the town’s scenery and distant mountain vistas. The upper floor was inscribed with famous poems, couplets, and verses. Unfortunately, this historically significant building was destroyed in 1958, and only its ruins remain today.