Chanting Pavilion Water City

Chanting Pavilion Water City

Chanting Pavilion Water City is situated on Binhe West Road in our county, extending from Shengping Bridge in the north to Taiping Bridge in the south, with a total length of approximately 1.2 kilometers and covering an area of over 50 acres. The project's total investment exceeds 40 million yuan. It is a flagship project developed under the county’s strategic goals of “building the county through culture, revitalizing it with tourism,” using cultural tourism as a breakthrough to promote integrated urban-rural economic growth, and aiming to build a vibrant and happy new Luojiang. The construction includes features such as a covered walkway, docks, an ancient theater stage, memorial archways, the Wenfeng Twin Towers, and the Taiping Covered Bridge.

The Memorial Archway of Chanting Pavilion Water City was constructed in the style of the late Qing Dynasty, giving the entire structure an antique charm and majestic beauty. The four large characters “Chanting Pavilion Water City” inscribed on the archway were written by He Yinghui, Chairman of the Sichuan Provincial Calligraphers Association. The two couplets hanging from the pillars of the archway are the works of Li Tiaoyuan, a renowned literary figure from Luojiang and a titan of Bashu literature: "Crimson rain stirs, startling sleeping birds; still blue waves await visiting boats." "Unbounded by landscapes or cloud formations, whether by moonlight on mountains or water — oblivious to poetry, wine, blooming flowers, tipsy wine, chirping birds, or laughter, only poetry remains." These two couplets, composed by Scholar Li after he retired from office two hundred years ago, poetically capture the artistic ambiance and serene charm of Chanting Pavilion Water City. And take a look at this large brown stone here—it bears the “Record of Chanting Pavilion” inscribed by Mr. Lu Ye, Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Luojiang County: “‘Chanting Pavilion’ is all about water, where streams like the Lei and Ning gush forth passionately, delicately sketching out the textures of Lu, hence also known as Luojiang…” Here, the long history, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful natural scenery of Luojiang are vividly described word by word.

[Ancient Theater Stage]

The Ancient Theater Stage is a platform used for traditional Chinese opera performances in ancient times. To meet local cultural needs and enrich public life, large-scale theatrical performances are held here during holidays and festivals. During the 10th anniversary celebration of our county’s reestablishment in 2006, opera performances were held here for an entire week. Each day, the crowds were massive, with one spectacular performance after another, fully satisfying the public's love for opera. On the stage, you can see a horizontal plaque reading “Chuanshang Yue” (“Said atop the River”), inscribed by Mr. Lu, the Secretary of our county. On the right pillar, there is a couplet reading: “Life is like a play, gone like the flowing river.” But the left pillar is blank—why? Back in 2006, when Chanting Pavilion Water City was completed, a competition was launched to compose a matching second line, attracting active participation from people across society, yet a suitable match has yet to be found to this day.

[Food Street]

After the completion and opening of Chanting Pavilion Water City, many spotted unlimited business opportunities and invested here one after another. Now, Chanting Pavilion Water City has been transformed into a street integrating leisure, entertainment, dining, and sightseeing. Families getting together or friends having drinks often choose this place. Here, you can enjoy authentic hot pot as well as a variety of unique local snacks, drawing tourists near and far for both sightseeing and leisure.

The ground of Chanting Pavilion Water City is entirely paved with local flagstones from Luojiang, covering a total area of about 20,000 square meters. Though not as smooth as bluestone slabs, the flagstones offer a distinctive charm that feels especially warm beneath one’s feet. The landscaping of Chanting Pavilion Water City follows a courtyard-style garden design, featuring not only common grasses but also rare and precious flowers and trees, making it a unique and important scenic highlight within the water city.

[Wenfeng Twin Towers]

There is a seven-story tower and a three-story tower—these are known as the “Wenfeng Twin Towers.” Climbing to the top of the seven-story tower offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Chanting Pavilion Water City. The Wenfeng Twin Towers were built to commemorate the scholarly achievements of Li Tiaoyuan, whose family produced “four jinshi degree holders and three Hanlin academicians among brothers,” and to honor their contributions to the cultural development of Luojiang, Bashu, and even the broader Chinese nation. Every year, just before the college entrance examination, many students inspired by their legacy come here to sightsee, pay tribute to the sages of old, and make wishes for success.

[Taiping Covered Bridge]

Spanning the Luo Wen River is the “Taiping Covered Bridge,” built in the architectural style of the late Qing Dynasty. The Taiping Bridge itself was originally constructed during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, boasting a history of over 200 years, and is also known as the “First Bridge of Western Sichuan.” In 2006, a covered bridge over 200 meters in length was built on Taiping Bridge, making it the longest covered bridge in China today. Every evening, under the sound of ancient melodies, the Taiping Covered Bridge is illuminated in dazzling brilliance. At this time, taking a peaceful stroll along the dock, with a refreshing breeze in the air, while admiring the sparkling waters of the Luo Wen River and pondering the elegant lines of Lu Yong’s poem—“Waves still, Luo patterns fine, perfect for moonlit nights, likely woven by river sprites, yet no sound of loom is heard”—one feels as if transported to a paradise on earth.

Source: Public Information Website of Luojiang County People's Government