Xiazhen

　　   Xiazhen is the seat of the government of Weishan County. It is situated in the central-southern part of the county, west of the Tianjin-Pukou Railway and on the eastern shore of Zhaoyang Lake, covering an area of about 15 square kilometers with a population of around 100,000. The old canal meanders through the town from west to southeast, crossed by Canal Bridge, Dongfeng Bridge, and Peace Bridge, linking the east and west. It is a distinctive lakeside town. ?Xiazhen was originally an ancient city, consisting of three parts: Guangqi, Bucheng (West City), and Xiazhenzhai (East City).?

　　　　   The northern part of Xiazhen is the site of Guangqi, the former county seat of Guangqi County during the Qin Dynasty. In the late Qin Dynasty, when Liu Bang attacked Xue County and killed the magistrate of Sishui Commandery, Zhuang, he retreated through here via Kangfu and Fangyu (present-day Yucheng, Shandong). Legend has it that it was later granted to Consort Qi as her fief, hence called Qicheng. Liu Jiang and Liu Xun, respectively the sons of Prince Lu Gong of the Han Dynasty and Prince Xiao of Chu, were both enfeoffed with Guangqi County, making it their fief.?

　　　　   During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Guangqi County was abolished. It was not until the Ming Dynasty, when a new canal was dug to facilitate grain transport, that Qicheng’s southwestern Xi Village flourished. In the first year of the Longqing era of the Ming Dynasty (1567 AD), Xi Village became a ship docking port, and commerce and industry thrived, leading to its renaming as Xiazhen. At the same time, the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Revenue moved their regional offices here from Gutoucheng (present-day Gutou Village, Pei County, Jiangsu). Starting in 1588 AD during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, it took two years to build earthen walls on all sides and construct four gate towers. From 1658 AD in the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it took three years to rebuild the walls with bricks. Since troops were often stationed here to maintain security for grain transport, it also became known as “Bucheng.”?

　　　　   In 1668 AD during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, a massive earthquake caused all four gate towers of Bucheng to collapse, and many houses within the city were severely damaged. This devastating natural disaster left Bucheng in decline. Thereafter, “the town on the east bank of the canal gradually prospered.” The east bank of the canal is Xiazhenzhai, also known as East City, where the Qing Dynasty established the “Xiayang Sub-district Patrol Office.” Thus, the unified Xiazhen comprising three parts was formed.?

　　   Historically, Xiazhen was long divided between Pei County and Teng County. In the first year of the Xianfeng era (1851 AD), when the Yellow River breached its banks at Panlongji, areas of Pei County and Qishan were submerged by silt. As a result, the Pei County seat moved here from Qishan and remained for 11 years. The town also had numerous temples, giving rise to the saying “One step spans two provinces, three temples stand, one street divides two counties.” The Qing poet Song Siren wrote in his poem “Passing Xiazhen”: “A sail catches the setting sun’s last light, a town divides north and south in sight. Peach blooms recall Teng’s pure white snow, temple bells from Pei drift cool and bright.”?

　　　　   Xiazhen is the political, economic, and cultural center of Weishan County. Since the establishment of the county seat in Xiazhen in 1953, it ended the historical constraints of the lake-border region on economic development, laying the foundation for Weishan’s growth. Xiazhen’s economy has developed rapidly. It now hosts dozens of enterprises across various sectors such as machinery, building materials, shipbuilding, brewing, flour milling, chemicals, and lake product processing. The tertiary sector has surged, with over 2,000 commercial service outlets, and more than 100 hotels and guesthouses, creating a thriving industrial and commercial scene. Xiazhen is also a key transportation hub, with the Xuecheng Station on the Beijing-Shanghai Railway just 13 kilometers to the east. The town has a long-distance bus station and cargo docks, facilitating tourism development.?

　　　　   With a long history and beautiful scenery, Xiazhen—now both an economic hub and a tourist destination—will increasingly reveal its enchanting charm as the South Four Lakes region is further developed.?

　　　   Xiazhen is an ancient town composed of Qicheng, Bucheng, and Dongzhai, with the old canal winding through it. The northwest part is Qicheng, the site of Guangqi County from the Qin Dynasty, which existed through the Han and Three Kingdoms periods before being abolished in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, leaving only its ruins. The southwest is Bucheng, originally called Xiavillage, also known as Xiayang. In the late Ming Dynasty, after the completion of the new canal (from Jining to Jingshan), which improved north-south grain transport, Xiavillage’s port saw a surge in ships and booming commerce. In 1569 AD (the third year of the Longqing era), the village was upgraded to a town. Subsequently, over 900 zhang (approx. 3,000 meters) of walls were built, 2.5 zhang (approx. 8 meters) high, with more than 1,100 crenellations, four gates, gate towers, and stationed canal guards, hence it was also called Bucheng. East of the canal lies Dongzhai, originally an ancient settlement with only ruins remaining. In 1851 AD during the first year of the Xianfeng era, when the Yellow River breached at Panlongji and flooded Qishan, the Pei County seat moved here and built a stockade on the old city ruins, named Dongzhai. It served as the Pei County seat for 11 years. After the 1668 AD earthquake, all four gate towers of Bucheng collapsed, along with many houses. Thereafter, the east bank of the canal became a bustling commercial hub.

　　　　   The three towns spanning the canal are collectively called Xiazhen. Historically located at the border of Jiangsu and Shandong provinces, and Pei and Teng counties, its jurisdiction was ambiguous. Outside the Kui Star Tower in the town center, there was a saying: “One step spans two provinces, three temples stand.” Outside the town, eagles fly and fish leap in this watery land, while inside, temples and memorial arches reflect both nature’s artistry and human creativity. The area boasts unique natural scenery and cultural landscapes, with eight major historic sites that have been celebrated in local folklore for centuries.

　　　　　   The “Three Wonders of the Exquisite Stele,” the “Siting Ferry Pavilion of the Sishui Pavilion,” the “Tomb of Filial Piety in the Virtuous Tomb,” and the “Breeze in the Clear Pool.”

　　　　　   The “Hometown of Jiang Gong in Qicheng,” the “Green Cloud Palace encircled by the canal,” “Zhaoyang’s fishing boats by the hundreds,” and the “Flying Cloud Bridge with dragons spouting below.”

　　　   “The Three Wonders of the Exquisite Stele” refers to the Stele of the New Canal Record. Located on the west bank of the canal in Xiazhen, north of the former Xuandi Temple gate, within the “River Clear Forever Guard” pavilion (also called Huanghua Pavilion). The scale and grandeur of the entire stele rival those of the famous stelae in front of the Confucius Temple in Qufu. The “Record of the New Canal” was written by Xu Jie, Minister of Personnel and Grand Secretary of Jianji Hall during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, calligraphed by the master Zhou Tianqiu, and engraved by the famed stonemason Wu Nai. It documents the construction of a 141-li (approx. 70 km) new canal from Nanyang through Xiavillage to Liucheng, and the dredging of a 53-li (approx. 26 km) old canal from Liucheng to Jingshan, to improve grain transport and control the Yellow River. The writing, calligraphy, and carving are all exceptional, hailed by scholars as a “divine work” and the “Three Wonders,” locally known as the “Three Wonders Stele.”

　　　　   In 1960, the People’s Committee of Shandong Province allocated special funds to restore the pavilion, enclosing it with railings for protection. It is a key cultural relic protected at the provincial level.

　　　　   “Siting Ferry of the Sishui Pavilion” refers to the Siting Ferry Archway, located above the Xiazhen lock, built during the Qing Dynasty. Legend says that when Liu Bang was the head of Siting and rose in revolt against the Qin, after a defeat with no escape, he sought passage at the Sishui River. The boatmen guided him and helped him flee. When Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty visited the south, he inquired about the Siting Ferry, prompting the Ministry of Works’ official Li Xixiong to build the archway. The completed structure stood grandly above the lock, drawing praise from passing boats and earning a reputation for embodying the spirit of the Han Dynasty.

　　　　   “The Tomb of Filial Piety” refers to the Qingfeng Martyr’s Tomb. Located beneath the west bank of the canal, north of the Imperial Scripture Hall, and west of the current Dongfeng Bridge; the Qingfeng Pool and Qingfeng Martyr’s Stele are in the northeastern part of Bucheng. These two sites are linked by one story. During the Ming Dynasty, a gambler and leatherworker lost all his wealth and even his wife and daughter to debt. His wife, Lady Xu, holding their child, jumped into Qingfeng Pool with her husband, drowning herself. Their dog, witnessing the tragedy, barked desperately and also drowned. Revered as a loyal dog, it was buried with them. Yang Weidong from Qijiang, Sichuan, a Jinshi scholar of the Wanli era and then official of Xiazhen, moved by the story, built a brick tomb and the Qingfeng Martyr’s Shrine. The shrine featured clay statues of the family. At the center was Lady Xu holding her child, with the dog at her knees. Behind the right door was the leatherworker, carrying a cloth sack, looking wretched. The Qingfeng Pool is crystal clear. Yang also erected a stone monument in front of the pool—the Qingfeng Martyr’s Stele.

　　　　   “The Hometown of Jiang Gong” is located in Guangqi within the north of Bucheng, with a stele by the canal inscribed: “Hometown of Han Dynasty’s Jiang Gong.” It was later moved to the east side of the north end of Tongji Gate (the Great South Gate). Jiang Gong, a renowned scholar of the Han Dynasty known for his filial piety and mastery of the Five Classics, was said to possess knowledge “vaster than five carts.” Over 3,000 students came to learn from him. He never pursued official rank; despite imperial summons and noble recommendations, he refused, either hiding at home or fleeing to the coast, or pretending to be ill and bedridden. He once lived in Qingzhou, making a living as a fortune teller. Jiang Gong and his younger brother were extremely close, sharing a blanket until adulthood. The term “Jiang’s Quilt” has since become a metaphor for fraternal affection. He is recorded in the “Book of Han” and admired by scholars throughout history. The tale of Jiang’s Quilt is still told locally.

　　　　   “The Green Cloud Palace,” commonly called the Mount Tai Temple. Located north of the Three-Arch Bridge, the canal bends south behind the temple and then flows eastward, encircling it. The scale of the Green Cloud Palace, the fervor of its incense, and the vibrancy of its temple fair are unparalleled in southern and northern Jiangsu. The Xiazhen Mount Tai Temple Fair, held from the 15th to the 18th of the fourth lunar month, is a major local event. As a key water transport hub, it attracted merchants from north and south. Aside from worship activities, it also served as a trade fair. The fair included the procession of the Goddess Bixia Yuanjun, with thousands participating—flag bearers, musicians, deities, monks, bands, worshippers, and even those enacting penance. As recorded in the “Pei County Annals”: “Every April, the divine statue is paraded, attracting tens of thousands—it’s extraordinarily lively.” Its grandeur can be imagined.

　　　　   “Zhaoyang’s Fishing Boats by the Hundreds” emphasizes their vast number. Zhaoyang Lake lies in the middle of the South Four Lakes, with a circumference of over 80 li. Fed by the He, Pao, and Sishui rivers, it boasts vibrant waters rich in aquatic products and scenic beauty. The Qing scholar Hao Zhi (author of several volumes of “Natural History Compilation”) wrote the travelogue “A Tour of Zhaoyang Lake,” describing not only the lake’s beauty and bounty but also calling it “a grand sight of Pei County, free from the dangers of dragon waves, offering the thrill of rushing waters—a must-visit.” Renowned literati such as Wang Shizhen of Xincheng (Jinshi of the Shunzhi era, Minister of Justice, famed for prose and poetry, author of works like “Jingjing Hall Collection”), Zhao Zhixin of Qingzhou (Jinshi of the Kangxi era, master calligrapher, poet emphasizing charm), and Wang Chutong, all left writings or poems about it.

　　　　   “The Flying Cloud Bridge” is mentioned in historical texts and inscriptions. Its name derives from a line in Emperor Liu Bang’s “Song of the Great Wind”: “Wind rises, clouds fly.” The bridge stands at the confluence of the Pao and Sishui rivers, with the Sishui’s southern bank featuring the Songfeng Terrace, and at the river’s eastward bend near Nan Zhuang Village’s old river mouth, where the old Sishui turns south toward Liucheng. The Sishui flows like a giant dragon from north to south, while the Pao River rushes in from the west, pouring into the Sishui through the Flying Cloud Bridge like water spurting from a dragon—quite a spectacle in its time.

　　　　   Xiazhen’s Eight Scenic Spots, having weathered centuries of glory and hardship, have largely faded due to neglect and natural disasters. However, with reform and opening-up, urban development, economic and tourism growth, and rising living standards, they are expected to be gradually restored.