Shiba Du

　　　Shiba Du in Jiangshan City, Zhejiang Province, is a historic and cultural town and a writers’ creative base of Zhejiang Province. Situated at the junction of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces, it was historically an important settlement in the border region and is known as the “Lock and Key of Fengxi.” Experts have praised it as a “cultural enclave,” while scholars have called it “a dream lost in the mountains.”

　　　Shiba Du Town is located at the tri-border of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi, with convenient transportation—the National Highway 205 runs right through the town. The town covers an area of 66.7 square kilometers and has a population of 10,876. Compared to famous ancient water towns like Zhouzhuang, Tongli, and Wuzhen, it remains a hidden gem in the deep mountains, still relatively unknown. It has a style distinctly different from those Jiangnan water towns, even carrying an air of mystery. Over 1,100 years ago, Huang Chao marched southward and carved out the ancient Xianxia Trail through the rugged mountains between Zhejiang and Fujian. Since then, Shiba Du, surrounded by towering peaks and fortified passes, became a military garrison and a strategic stronghold throughout the dynasties. Originally serving mainly military functions, this thousand-year-old trail gradually transformed into a vital trade route during the Qing Dynasty. Boats traveling up the Qiantang River carried fabrics and daily goods from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, docking at Qinghu Wharf in Jiangshan. From there, goods were transferred to land routes and carried on the shoulders of porters into Fujian and Jiangxi. Local specialties from Fujian and Jiangxi were also shipped to Qinghu and transported to cities such as Quzhou, Jinhua, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. As the first stop for transiting goods and a key transportation hub, Shiba Du quickly grew into the most prosperous commercial town on the tri-provincial border. At its peak, shops, restaurants, and inns lined the entire cobblestone-paved main street. Porters traveled by day, merchants stayed overnight, and the town bustled with activity day and night, enjoying centuries of wealth and vibrancy.

　　　　The town preserves many well-maintained ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is designated as a provincial-level historical and cultural preservation area. Its rich and diverse cultural landscapes, traditional and vibrant folk customs, and unique, profound cultural heritage make the simple and elegant Shiba Du Town stand out remarkably amid modern civilization. Numerous experts, scholars, and notable figures from within and outside the province have visited Shiba Du and have spoken highly of its ancient architecture, considering it of great historical preservation and tourism development value.