Sandao Yan Qinggangshu Scenic Area

Sandao Yan Qinggangshu Scenic Area

The Sandao Yan Qinggangshu Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Qinggangshu Village is rich in spiritual energy. In earlier times, it served as a water transport dock, bustling with frequent traffic of boats and merchants. Elders in the village tell legends that during leap year Dragon Boat Festivals, when the riverbanks are bathed in hazy moonlight, golden boats were said to sail the waters at night, laden with golden ducks—occasionally, one would quack and tumble into the river. By morning, however, no trace of them could be found. To catch the golden ducks, an age-old tradition of dragon boat racing and waterfowl snatching developed along the Baitiao River. The area of Qinggangshu was also once home to the Wanghuang Temple, which enjoyed immense popularity. Legend has it that every year, a grand “Fish Gathering” would take place in the river in front of the temple. Around the transition from spring to summer, schools of fish, each led by a “red-footed” leader, would swim to the waters near Wanghuang Temple, then halt and gather there, forming a spectacular sight of countless fish formations. Villagers—men, women, and children—could easily catch them using back baskets or scoops, requiring little effort. There was even a local rule: the fish could be eaten, but not sold. With the abundance of fish came flocks of birds. Amid misty waters and the first rays of dawn, egrets often gathered in groups, flying and landing, dancing gracefully. Witnessing this scene instantly brings to mind Zhang Zhihe’s poem “Fisherman’s Song”: “By Western Hills the egrets fly / Peach blossoms bloom where clear waters flow / Perch fat and fair / Straw hats, straw capes / No need to leave in wind or rain.” A Village of Painters

In 1998, Zhao Liangquan, a woodcarving specialist in the village, transported a truckload of red bean stones from the mountains. When he brought samples to the Chengdu market to find buyers, he unexpectedly met Zhao Shangyi, a renowned artist from the Sichuan Provincial Artists Association. Teacher Zhao went to Zhao Liangquan’s home to see the stones. Back then, the journey from Sandao Yan Town to Qinggangshu Village involved

walking along a small path through bean fields. After many twists and turns, they arrived at Zhao Liangquan’s home. Teacher Zhao not only admired the stones but was even more captivated by the open, tranquil, picturesque, and waterside natural scenery. He decided to purchase several farmhouses here to transform them into a living and creative base. In 1999, Zhao Shangyi successfully built his own garden and also funded the repair of roads in the village. Before long, Qian Lai zhong, Chairman of the Provincial Artists Association, heard about this and became very interested. After visiting Zhao Shangyi’s new home twice, he too decided to establish a living and creative base here. Soon after, several others, including Zhang Jian, also selected spots and built uniquely charming and beautiful residences. Their courtyards featured styles ranging from classical Chinese folk houses to Japanese Oriental designs. The gardens were filled with flowers, trees, small bridges over flowing water, bamboo fences and tile walls, wisteria and melon trellises, stone tables and secluded paths—creating an exquisitely elegant and pleasant environment. A few entrepreneurs from the business world who were also art enthusiasts were drawn here to invest. In 2003, Rongchuan Industrial Co., Ltd. leased 118 acres of land here and grandly constructed “Hejing Mountain Villa,” further expanding the painter’s village. After the completion of the Shaxi Line, the road conveniently passed right by the painter’s village, linking eastward to Chengdu and westward to Tangchang, making transportation even more convenient. On regular days, the artists work in government offices in downtown Chengdu. But on weekends or holidays, they come here to relax, immerse themselves in nature, connect with farmers, observe life, and draw inspiration for their art.

Village Art Exhibitions

It is said that one year, the villagers came up with a whimsical idea—they wanted the painters to hold an art exhibition in the village to open the eyes of the locals. True to their word, the painters gathered many famous artworks from within and outside the province and, without charging the villagers a penny, organized a unique and unprecedented art exhibition the likes of which the world had never seen. To show their gratitude, the villagers prepared several tables of traditional rural “Nine Great Dishes” to treat the painters, who all enjoyed the meal heartily. The village party secretary joked, “Once, a high monk came here, checked the feng shui, and said that if a pagoda were built by the Baitiao River, this place would produce great scholars. We didn’t build a pagoda, but a bunch of great scholars fell from the sky—and it’s really added quite a bit of fame to our Qinggangshu Village!”

Honors and Awards

In April 2020, Qinggangshu Village was named a 2019 Model Village for Implementing the Rural Revitalization Strategy in Sichuan Province.